Education Bureau: Difference between revisions

Education Bureau
Education Bureau
Chinese	教育局
Hanyu Pinyin
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Jiàoyù Jú
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization	Gaau yuhk gúk
Jyutping	Gaau3 juk6 guk6
Education and Manpower Bureau
Traditional Chinese	教育統籌局
Simplified Chinese	教育统筹局
Hanyu Pinyin
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Jiàoyù Tǒngchóu Jú
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutping	Gaau3 juk6 tung2 cau4 guk6
Education Department
Chinese	教育署
Hanyu Pinyin
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Jiàoyù Shǔ
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutping	Gaau3 juk6 cyu5

Education Bureau
教育局
	Emblem of the Hong Kong SAR
Agency overview
Formed	1852
Jurisdiction	Hong Kong
Headquarters	11/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong
Employees	5355
Minister responsible	Christine Choi, Secretary for Education;
Deputy Minister responsible	Under Secretary for Education;
Agency executive	Michelle Li, Permanent Secretary for Education;
Child agencies	University Grants Committee Secretariat; Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency;
Website	edb.gov.hk

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Revision as of 16:29, 19 August 2022

The Education Bureau (EDB) is responsible for formulating and implementing education policies in Hong Kong.

The bureau is headed by the Secretary for Education and oversees agencies including University Grants Committee and Student Finance Office.

History

The Education Department (教育署 and 教育司署 before 1983) was responsible for education matters in the territory, with the exception of post-secondary and tertiary education. In 2003, the department was abolished and a new bureau, the Education and Manpower Bureau (教育統籌局 abbreviated EMB) was formed. In July 2007, under newly re-elected Chief Executive Donald Tsang, the manpower portfolio was split away to the new Labour and Welfare Bureau, leaving this body as the Education Bureau.^[1]

The bureau was formerly housed at the Former French Mission Building.

Structure

The bureau mainly consists of seven branches, which are responsible for different policies. Each branch is led by a Deputy Secretary for Education.

Further & Higher Education Branch
Planning, Infrastructure and School Places Allocation Branch
Professional Development & Special Education Branch
School Development & Administration Branch
Curriculum and Quality Assurance Branch
Corporate Services Branch
Special Duties

The bureau also oversees two child agencies: the University Grants Committee Secretariat and the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency.

Education system

The Education System includes: Kindergarten Education, Primary and Secondary School Education, Special Education, Post-secondary Education, and other Education and Training.^[2]

Controversies

Censorship of textbooks

In August 2020, the Education Bureau, with the aim to "help student develop positive values", made changes to the Liberal Studies textbooks of the six main publishers, who were invited to join the voluntary consultancy service introduced by the bureau in the previous year. The pro-democracy Professional Teachers' Union (PTU) said some teachers received messages from the publishers that the amendments relating to criticizing the mainland Chinese government and some political cartoons were replaced with emphasizing the possible criminal consequences for participants. The union accused that it is practising 'political censorship and "had severely damaged the goals" of setting up the project.^[3]

On 5 October 2020, the Education Bureau deregistered a primary school teacher, the teacher was accused of using pro-independence materials, which the Bureau claims is an act of "spreading Hong Kong Independence message". The Professional Teachers Union strongly condemned the teacher's disqualification. In a statement, the Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union accused the education bureau of failing to conduct a fair investigation. It said the unilateral disqualification and issuing of warning letters to the school were "despicable acts of intimidation of the school management" and were unacceptable.^[4]

National Security Education

In February 2021, the Education Bureau, under Kevin Yeung, announced changes to the education system to incorporate the National Security Law.^[5] Notices to teachers explained that teachers should educate students as young as 6 years old about the national security law.^[5] In response, Ip Kin-yuen, the vice-president of the Professional Teachers' Union, said that he was astounded to see the "vast scope" of the new rules as well as the lack of consultation with teachers before the rules were published.^[6]

Later in February 2021, the Education Bureau released a 1,200-word guideline for implementation of the changes, claiming it was "obliged to clarify" so-called misunderstandings by the media when it had announced changes earlier in the month.^[7] Ip Kin-yuen responded and said that the guidelines would do little, and that the Education Bureau "should also hold proper consultation sessions among educators and members of the public to explain about the guidelines in detail, listen to their thoughts and opinions, as well as respond to questions and even defend it for themselves if they want".^[7]

In March 2021, the government announced that the Education Bureau would begin distributing books to all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, meant to cover topics such as national identity and the national security law.^[8]

In July 2022, Education Bureau chief Christine Choi Yuk-lin said that national education is not "brainwashing".^[9] Choi also said that Hong Kong students must learn about the history of China's socialist system, and must understand why it is suitable for China.^[10] Choi later said that students must learn from Xi Jinping's speech on Hong Kong, and that the Education Bureau would hold sessions with school principals and teachers on the speech.^[11] Choi also said that if students show that they want China to do well during flag-raising ceremonies or study tours, then it would meet the target of effective national education.^[11] In contrast, Priscilla Leung argued and said about the study tours that "In fact, many students have come back from these visits [saying] they don't believe in what they saw, [they claimed] everything was staged."^[11]

Universities

In July 2022, the University of Hong Kong began requiring students to take a course on the national security law in order to graduate.^[12] Students must watch 10 hours of videos and pass an online test in order to complete the mandatory security class.^[13]

Other universities, including Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University also began offering courses on national security.^[12] The course is listed as a graduation requirement.^[13]

Christine Choi also said that university student unions were "instigating the anti-China sentiment and hatred toward the Chinese people" during the 2019 Hong Kong protests.^[14]

Study tour

In March 2021, the Education Bureau revealed that new teachers in Hong Kong would have to travel to mainland China to undergo mandatory training.^[15]

In July 2022, the Education Bureau asked secondary schools to create plans for taking students on mainland China study tours.^[16]

Liberal studies

In April 2021, a survey by PORI found that more than 60% of Hong Kongers opposed changes to the Liberal Studies course, changes implemented by the Education Bureau after the course came under attack from pro-Beijing figures who claimed the course was used to encourage students to take part in the 2019-20 Hong Kong protests.^[17]

National flag ceremonies

In October 2021, the Education Bureau revealed new guidelines for implementing national flag ceremonies in schools, stating that it would "promote national education and help students develop a sense of belonging to the country, an affection for the Chinese people and enhance their sense of national identity."^[18]

Putonghua

In July 2022, Education Bureau chief Christine Choi Yuk-lin said that the city would soon push students to use Putonghua rather than the local language, Cantonese.^[19] Choi said that in the future, all classes should be delivered in Putonghua.^[19]

British Hong Kong

In August 2022, the Education Bureau claimed that Hong Kong was never a British colony, and that the British did not have sovereignty over Hong Kong.^[20]

References

^ Code for the Education Profession of Hong Kong, EDB, 2015
^ "EDB - Home". www.edb.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 31 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
^ Chan, Ho-him (20 August 2020). "Hong Kong education chiefs hit back at teachers' union over criticism liberal studies textbook changes amount to political censorship". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
^ "Hong Kong primary teacher deregistered "for talking about independence"". The Guardian. 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
^ ^a ^b "'Schools to be responsible for ignoring NSL breach' - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
^ "'Consult public on national security education now' - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Calling security education "brainwashing" a "malicious" accusation, say officials". South China Morning Post. 22 February 2021. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
^ "China's textbook series in national education to reach Hong Kong schools ｜ Apple Daily". Apple Daily 蘋果日報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 22 March 2021.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ Standard, The. "National education is not "brainwashing": education secretary". The Standard. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
^ "Govt to enhance national security education - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "HK students must learn from Xi Jinping's speech: govt - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
^ ^a ^b Standard, The. "Hong Kong university students must take National Security Law course to graduate ". The Standard. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
^ ^a ^b Standard, The. "HKU national security course orders 10 hours of videos plus MC test". The Standard. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
^ Lee, Peter (29 July 2022). "Media reports on promoting Mandarin in Hong Kong schools 'inaccurate,' Education Bureau says". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
^ "Hong Kong to send new teachers to China for national security education ｜ Apple Daily". Apple Daily 蘋果日報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
^ Leung, Hillary (8 July 2022). "Hong Kong schools to submit plans for mainland study tours as part of overhauled liberal studies course". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
^ "Survey shows Hongkongers oppose changes to Liberal Studies subject as gov't endorses new name". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 2 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
^ "Hong Kong schools must hold national flag ceremonies at least once a week". South China Morning Post. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
^ ^a ^b Standard, The. "Hong Kong to cancel Cantonese taught Chinese when conditions are met, says education chief". The Standard. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
^ "Hong Kong was never colony during British occupation: education authorities". South China Morning Post. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.

External links

Official website Archived 12 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine
Organisation chart of Hong Kong Government

[1] Code for the Education Profession of Hong Kong, EDB, 2015

[2] "EDB - Home". www.edb.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 31 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.

[3] Chan, Ho-him (20 August 2020). "Hong Kong education chiefs hit back at teachers' union over criticism liberal studies textbook changes amount to political censorship". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2020.

[4] "Hong Kong primary teacher deregistered "for talking about independence"". The Guardian. 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.

[:0-5] "'Schools to be responsible for ignoring NSL breach' - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.

[6] "'Consult public on national security education now' - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.

[:1-7] "Calling security education "brainwashing" a "malicious" accusation, say officials". South China Morning Post. 22 February 2021. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.

[8] "China's textbook series in national education to reach Hong Kong schools ｜ Apple Daily". Apple Daily 蘋果日報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 22 March 2021.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[9] Standard, The. "National education is not "brainwashing": education secretary". The Standard. Retrieved 17 July 2022.

[10] "Govt to enhance national security education - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 17 July 2022.

[:2-11] "HK students must learn from Xi Jinping's speech: govt - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 25 July 2022.

[:3-12] Standard, The. "Hong Kong university students must take National Security Law course to graduate ". The Standard. Retrieved 26 July 2022.

[:5-13] Standard, The. "HKU national security course orders 10 hours of videos plus MC test". The Standard. Retrieved 19 August 2022.

[14] Lee, Peter (29 July 2022). "Media reports on promoting Mandarin in Hong Kong schools 'inaccurate,' Education Bureau says". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 30 July 2022.

[15] "Hong Kong to send new teachers to China for national security education ｜ Apple Daily". Apple Daily 蘋果日報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.

[16] Leung, Hillary (8 July 2022). "Hong Kong schools to submit plans for mainland study tours as part of overhauled liberal studies course". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 8 July 2022.

[17] "Survey shows Hongkongers oppose changes to Liberal Studies subject as gov't endorses new name". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 2 April 2021. Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.

[18] "Hong Kong schools must hold national flag ceremonies at least once a week". South China Morning Post. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.

[:4-19] Standard, The. "Hong Kong to cancel Cantonese taught Chinese when conditions are met, says education chief". The Standard. Retrieved 28 July 2022.

[20] "Hong Kong was never colony during British occupation: education authorities". South China Morning Post. 2 August 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.

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@@ Line 96: / Line 96: @@
 ==== Universities ====
-In July 2022, the [[University of Hong Kong]] began requiring students to take a course on the national security law in order to graduate.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=The |title=Hong Kong university students must take National Security Law course to graduate &nbsp; |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/192724/Hong-Kong-university-students-must-take-National-Security-Law-course-to-graduate- |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref> Other universities, including [[Chinese University of Hong Kong]], [[Hong Kong University of Science and Technology]], and the [[Hong Kong Polytechnic University]] also began offering courses on national security.<ref name=":3" />
+In July 2022, the [[University of Hong Kong]] began requiring students to take a course on the national security law in order to graduate.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=The |title=Hong Kong university students must take National Security Law course to graduate &nbsp; |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/192724/Hong-Kong-university-students-must-take-National-Security-Law-course-to-graduate- |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref> Students must watch 10 hours of videos and pass an online test in order to complete the mandatory security class.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=The |title=HKU national security course orders 10 hours of videos plus MC test |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/193682/HKU-national-security-course-orders-10-hours-of-videos-plus-MC-test |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref>
+Other universities, including [[Chinese University of Hong Kong]], [[Hong Kong University of Science and Technology]], and the [[Hong Kong Polytechnic University]] also began offering courses on national security.<ref name=":3" /> The course is listed as a graduation requirement.<ref name=":5" />
 Christine Choi also said that university student unions were "instigating the anti-China sentiment and hatred toward the Chinese people" during the [[2019–2020 Hong Kong protests|2019 Hong Kong protests]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Peter |date=2022-07-29 |title=Media reports on promoting Mandarin in Hong Kong schools 'inaccurate,' Education Bureau says |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2022/07/29/media-reports-on-promoting-mandarin-in-hong-kong-schools-inaccurate-education-bureau-says/ |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref>

v t e Education Bureau
Secretary for Education: Christine Choi
Subordinate departments	University Grants Committee Secretariat Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency
Operations	Primary One Admission System
Predecessors	Education and Manpower Bureau Education and Manpower Branch Education Department

v t e Policy bureaux of the Hong Kong Government
Government Secretariat
Current bureaux	Civil Service Commerce and Economic Development Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Culture, Sports and Tourism Development Education Environment and Ecology Financial Services and the Treasury Home and Youth Affairs Housing Innovation, Technology and Industry Labour and Welfare Health Security Transport and Logistics
Previous bureaux (after 1997)	Broadcasting, Culture and Sport Commerce and Industry Commerce, Industry and Technology Constitutional Affairs Economic Services Economic Development and Labour Education and Manpower Environment and Food Environment, Transport and Works Finance Health and Welfare Health, Welfare and Food Housing, Planning and Lands Home Affairs Information Technology and Broadcasting Planning, Environment and Lands Planning and Lands Trade and Industry Transport Works Transport and Housing Food and Health Innovation and Technology

v t e Government of Hong Kong
Executive Council Government Secretariat Government agencies
Bureaus	Civil Service Commerce and Economic Development Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Development Education Environment and Ecology Financial Services and the Treasury Health Home and Youth Affairs Innovation, Technology and Industry Justice Labour and Welfare Security Transport and Logistics Housing Culture, Sports and Tourism
Departments	Administration Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Architectural Services Buildings Census and Statistics Civil Aviation Civil Engineering and Development Communications Companies Registry Correctional Services Cultural and Creative Industries Customs and Excise Drainage Services Efficiency Electrical and Mechanical Services Electoral Affairs Environmental Protection Financial Assistance Fire Services Food and Environmental Hygiene Government Flying Service Government Laboratory Government Logistics Government Property Government Records Service Health Highways Home Affairs Housing Immigration Information Technology Information Services Inland Revenue Innovation and Technology Intellectual Property Investment Promotion Labour Land Registry Lands Legal Aid Leisure and Cultural Services Marine Observatory Official Receiver Planning Police Post Railways Rating and Valuation Radio Television Hong Kong Social Welfare Tourism Trade and Industry Transport Treasury Water Supplies
Statutory agencies or authorities	Air Accident Investigation Authority Airport Authority Antiquities Advisory Board Antiquities and Monuments Office Audit Commission Auxiliary Medical Service Centre for Health Protection Civil Aid Service Construction Industry Council Consumer Council Centre for Food Safety Communications Authority Economic Analysis and Business Facilitation Unit Estate Agents Authority Equal Opportunities Commission Examinations and Assessment Authority Exchanges and Clearing Export Credit Insurance Corporation Heung Yee Kuk Housing Authority Housing Society Hospital Authority Independent Commission Against Corruption Insurance Authority Independent Police Complaints Council Liquor Licensing Board Office of the Ombudsman Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office Science and Technology Parks Corporation Sales of First-hand Residential Properties Authority Securities and Futures Commission Tourism Board Town Planning Board Trade Development Council Travel Industry Authority West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Urban Renewal Authority
Central bank	Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Foreign relations	Foreign relations of Hong Kong
Statutory bodies in Hong Kong Hong Kong Civil Service Administrative Officer

Authority control databases
International	VIAF
National	United States