- Intention is to maintain good mental health among students; circular also suggested physical activities and site visits instead of traditional written homework
Hong Kong primary schools have been urged to avoid scheduling exams for directly after long holidays. Photo: Jonathan WongHong Kong primary schools have been encouraged to refrain from scheduling exams immediately after a long break from school to improve the mental health of students.
The Education Bureau issued a circular on Monday recommending all primary schools adopt a list of new measures for assignments and exam arrangements to foster a healthy lifestyle among pupils.
“In addition to helping students learn effectively, schools should create space for students to facilitate balanced physical and psychological development,” the circular said.
Schools were urged to avoid arranging tests and exams immediately after long holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, to “leave more space for students during the period”.
It also suggested schools assign “appropriate self-learning tasks”, such as reading, physical activities, online learning and site visits, to replace traditional written homework assignments so pupils had enough rest and relaxation time during long breaks.
Schools were asked to consider reducing the frequency of exams and dictations in each grade level and explore different modes of assessment in lieu of traditional written tests, particularly for the first school term of Primary One pupils.
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A tutorial session in the afternoon should also be arranged “as far as possible” to allow children to finish some of their homework under teacher supervision to cater to different learning needs, the guidance said.
Chu Wai-lam, the principal of Fung Kai No 1 Primary School in Sheung Shui, said his school had reduced the number of exams from four to three in an academic year.
Avoiding holding exams after long holiday breaks was easily done without causing additional strain on teaching schedules or logistics, he added.
The first exam would be held at the end of November, ahead of Christmas break, followed by another in early March before Easter, he said. The final round was held in early June.
“In terms of reducing students’ exam stress and lessening the examination culture in Hong Kong, this is a good practice,” Chu said.
The principal noted that schools had been gradually adjusting their teaching methods since 2022, and that he had not encountered major difficulties when implementing new assignments and exam arrangements.
School principals had referred 254 cases concerning pupils with severe mental health needs to the Hospital Authority’s psychiatric services through the third-tier mechanism as of May since the school-based emergency system was launched last December.
Authorities also included examples in the circular that illustrated how national security education incorporating patriotic elements could be promoted in classes and beyond.
Separately, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai told lawmakers the government would make use of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China this year “as an entry point” to foster people’s sense of patriotism.
But lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen warned against an excessively “hard sell” approach for fear people would be put off.
“Patriotic education is about working on people’s hearts and feelings, and should be conducted in a soft and heart-moving approach,” Tsang told legislators.
The minister added that the government would aim to deepen public understanding of the history, culture, development and achievements of the country
Tsang also said the government had no plans to follow mainland China in establishing a patriotic education law.