Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, at a media session after officiating at the launch ceremony of “Phase II of the JC A-Connect: Jockey Club Autism Support Network” today (July 9):

Reporter: Mr Yeung, how would the Government follow up the move by the Liaison Office (Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) that publishers it owned indirectly deleted the phrase “separation of powers” in the textbooks (for Liberal Studies)?

Secretary for Education: As I said, this is not a book on the Recommended Textbook List. So there is no vetting procedure for this textbook. For Liberal Studies, there is no preset textbook. It is up to schools and also teachers to find necessary information and to complement necessary information for teaching of the subject.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

     â€‹The Transport Department (TD) today (July 9) announced that New Territories green minibus (GMB) route No. 9A, which will ply between Pak Tam Chung and the East Dam of High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung, will be introduce… read more

     The Education Bureau today (July 9) reminded parents that the results for Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) 2018 will be announced tomorrow (July 10).

     “A total of 49 554 students participated in the SSPA System for this allocation cycle,” a spokesman for the bureau said. “Taking into account the total number of students allocated discretionary places and the first three choices through central allocation, the overall satisfaction rate is 89 per cent. Considering the number of students allocated discretionary places and the first choices through central allocation, the satisfaction rate is 75 per cent.”

     The satisfaction rates for discretionary places and central allocation are:

* Among the students allocated through discretionary places, 64 per cent were allocated the first choices; and

* For students allocated through central allocation (including Part A for Unrestricted School Choices and Part B for Restricted School Choices), 82 per cent of students were allocated the first three choices while 59 per cent were allocated the first choices.

     “At the discretionary places stage, the maximum discretionary places quota is 30 per cent for each secondary school, and students can apply to a maximum of two schools. At the central allocation stage, 10 per cent of the central allocation places are set aside for Unrestricted School Choices in Part A, and students can choose a maximum of three secondary schools from any school net. As for Part B Restricted School Choices, students can choose a maximum of 30 schools within their own school net,” the spokesman said.

     “We hope parents and students can accept the allocation results with a positive attitude. The learning effectiveness of students does not rest only on the schools to which they are allocated; it hinges more on whether students are prepared to do their best and to learn with a positive spirit. In this connection, it is important for parents to continue to support and encourage their children, rather than let their expectations become a burden on their children.”

     All Primary Six students participating in this year’s SSPA System should return to their schools tomorrow to collect the Allocation Slips and Admission Slips.

     The registration period will take place this Thursday and Friday (July 12 and 13). Students must report to the secondary schools allocated during the registration period. In case the students and their parents or guardians are not able to register with the allocated schools during the registration period, they should authorise in writing a representative to complete the registration procedure on their behalf. Failure to do so means they have chosen to give up the places allocated. A standard authorisation letter can be obtained from their primary schools.

     If students or their parents have genuine difficulties in reporting to the allocated schools in person or through an authorised representative during the registration period, they should inform their allocated schools or the School Places Allocation Section of the Education Bureau before the end of the registration period so that alternative arrangements for registration can be made. Failure to do so means they have chosen to give up the places allocated.

     If the tropical cyclone or rainstorm warning signal is issued on the day for announcement of the allocation results or on the days for registration, all school heads and parents should pay attention to announcements on radio or television for special arrangements.

     For enquiries about the allocation results, please call the Education Bureau’s School Places Allocation Section on 2832 7740 or 2832 7700 during office hours. read more

     “2018 Summer Fun Party – Elizabeth Dream Spaceship”, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will be held this Saturday and Sunday (July 14 and 15) from 2.30pm to 5.30pm at Queen Elizabeth Stadium. Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to join.
 
     The carnival will feature different types of entertainment for public enjoyment. The musical “WOW!MUSIC” to be performed by more than 20 child actors will combine drama, song and dance, and tell a story of how these children pursue their dreams. Other highlights will include the puppet theatre show “Auntie C and the Stray Cats”, a magic performance, a bubble show, a unicycling performance, a children’s Cantonese opera performance, martial arts demonstrations and more.
 
     The event will also present a variety of fun-filled free workshops, including ones on magic, drawing, making rockets with recycled materials, paper plane making and children’s Cantonese opera. In addition, members of the public may take part in finger painting or experience the fun of interactive bubble games.
 
     “2018 Summer Fun Party – Elizabeth Dream Spaceship” is a programme in support of the summer festival International Arts Carnival organised by the LCSD. For enquiries, please call 2591 1340 or visit the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/eo/territoryevents/summerfunseries/summer-fun-party2018.html.

      

     The Instrumental Music Training Scheme organised by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department is now recruiting beginners for its 2018-19 Elementary Year 1 courses. The deadline for application is August 7. The scheme seeks to encourage young people to develop their talent and interest in music through a systematic programme of music training in their free time.
 
     The scheme provides training in almost 30 Chinese and Western musical instruments including violin, viola, cello, double bass, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, French horn, trombone, suona, sheng, dizi, erhu, pipa, zhongruan and others, with supplementary training in musicianship and theory. Young people aged 6 to 14 with no instrumental experience are welcome to apply.
 
     One-hour group lessons, conducted in Cantonese, will be held once a week at one of the Music Office’s five music centres located in Wan Chai, Kwun Tong, Mong Kok, Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan. Annual tuition fees of $1,710 for the first year and $2,090 for the second year are payable in four instalments.
 
     Online applications are now available at www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice. Course pamphlets and application forms are now available at all Music Office music centres. Eligible applicants will be invited to attend a music aptitude test and an interview on August 26 and will be notified of the results by October. Training will commence in November.
 
     For enquiries, please call the Music Office’s music centres at 2802 0657 (Hong Kong), 2796 2893 (Kwun Tong), 2399 2200 (Mong Kok), 2158 6462 (Sha Tin) and 2417 6429 (Tsuen Wan). read more