Education Bureau's review should look at the big picture

"Achieving the overall learning goals for secondary education" is the key purpose of the Education Bureau's medium-term review of the academic structure launched in 2009. Beginning last week, the three-month exercise will provide input for the final recommendations for change expected next summer.

Some of the learning goals are well known, such as creative thinking, independent learning skills, an independent reading habit, a healthy lifestyle, and an ability to contribute to the nation and society. They underlie the revamped senior-secondary curriculum.

Amid criticisms of the liberal studies subject, which aims to broaden students' horizons and thinking, the subject should not be the prime focus of the review. The broad range of topics in the six modules has raised doubts about whether teachers can handle the load but it will betray the goal of learning if the purpose is to dampen political activism among youngsters, as reported by the media.

It is one thing to consolidate the content so students and teachers can find the learning process and tasks to be completed more manageable. It is another to dictate what kind of questions students should or should not be asked. Undue interference in the exam syllabus is an erosion of academic freedom.

There is another pertinent issue that demands equal attention: universities' admission criteria. Strangely, this area is missing from the review.

Much has been said about the immense pressure facing students, despite the reform. The root cause lies in the ultra-competitive, examination-oriented system.