EDB optimises weighting of Internal Assessments subjects

     The Education Bureau (EDB) today (October 16) announced the optimised arrangements on the weighting of subjects in the Internal Assessments (IA) for the Secondary School Places Allocation System, which will be implemented from the second term of Primary Five starting from the 2026/27 school year. The aim of the arrangements is to further promote whole-person development, balanced learning and healthy growth of students.
 
     An EDB spokesman said, "In line with the theme 'Cultivate Values for Leaders of Tomorrow, Create Space to Foster Whole-person Development' of the Primary Education Curriculum Guide (2024), the school curriculum has been undergoing ongoing renewal. Primary Science and Primary Humanities will be implemented, in lieu of General Studies, in Primary One and Primary Four in all primary schools from the 2025/26 school year and progressively extended to all grades. In light of this, the two subjects will be incorporated into the IA. In addition, to further promote students' healthy lifestyle and help them develop a habit of joining sports activities from a young age for strengthening their physique, the EDB considers it desirable to include Physical Education (PE) in the IA."
 
     In this connection, the EDB has reviewed the weighting of IA subjects, and collected views through different channels from different stakeholders, including principals, teachers, and PE and medical-related professionals. After thorough deliberation and consolidation of their views, the total weighting of IA subjects will remain unchanged. The related optimised arrangements include:
 
* adjusting the weighting across subjects appropriately to better cater for learner diversity and to reflect students' performance more comprehensively;
* slightly adjusting the weighting of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics Education to release space for the learning and teaching of students and teachers;
* having equal weighting for Primary Science and Primary Humanities to nurture students' balanced development of scientific literacy and humanistic qualities; and
* adding PE with a weighting equal to that of Visual Arts and Music to promote students' whole-person development.
 
     The current and optimised weighting of IA subjects are appended in the Annex.

     The spokesman added, "The modes of assessment of PE in the IA are consistent with the existing assessment modes adopted by schools, both of which include physical fitness, attitudes, sports skills and knowledge as assessment domains. Schools can plan their PE curriculum according to the requirements of the Physical Education Key Learning Area Curriculum Guide, school characteristics, school environment and facilities, and teachers' experience for providing diversified PE learning experiences for students as well as catering for their varied abilities and needs."
 
     The EDB will organise briefing sessions for schools and parents respectively to brief them on the optimised arrangements of the weighting of subjects in the IA. It will also offer related professional training for teachers on a regular basis and continue to provide support for schools. For details of the optimised arrangements, please visit the EDB's designated webpage (www.edb.gov.hk/ia2024).