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Education in Hong Kong
Opinion
SCMP Editorial
Editorial
SCMP Editorial

Hong Kong’s new teacher certificate scheme will enhance education quality

The proposed measure should be implemented sensitively, taking into account the concerns of teachers and schools

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A group of kindergarten students visit Victoria Harbour with their teacher in Tsim Sha Tsui on March 13, 2025. Photo: Jelly Tse
SCMP Editorial
Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.

Teachers can serve as the best examples for students by embracing lifelong learning themselves. They also face a steep learning curve in adapting to reforms as the city’s education sector undergoes a critical stage of consolidation in the face of an increasingly challenging social environment.

The latest proposed requirement for teachers to obtain a practising certificate every three years, instead of the original registration for life, comes as yet another controversial but justified shake-up to enhance education quality and management. It is important that the measures be implemented sensitively, taking into account the concerns of teachers and schools.
To qualify for the certificate, educators must meet six criteria: hold a valid certificate of registration as a teacher or a permit to teach; be employed by a school as a teacher; declare any criminal convictions in the past three years; declare their willingness to uphold professional standards and abide by laws, including China’s constitution, the Basic Law and the national security law; live in Hong Kong; and attain 150 hours of continuing professional development in three years. The criteria are arguably not too stringent.

The government plans to amend the relevant ordinance in the second half of this year. While the scheme will take effect thereafter, officials said teachers and schools would be given time to fulfil the requirement under a one-year transition period. The flexible approach makes sense in light of the training hours threshold and the expected large number of applications.

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