Brain Game: If you could change Hong Kong's education system, what would you do?
- Each week, our readers will vote on their favourite answer and the contestant with the least votes is eliminated
- The ultimate Brain Game winner will win a fabulous prize
If you could change the education system in the city, what would you do?Every Wednesday we ask our Brain Game contestants one interesting, thought-provoking or just plain quirky question. Their answers will be published anonymously in Young Post. Then readers vote for their favourite answer. We will eliminate the contestant with the least votes every week until we have a winner. The ultimate Brain Game winner will win a fabulous prize.
Votes close at midnight on Sunday.
Contestant 1
I would create a new subject that covers different fields of study and career paths, which would be taught in the early stages of secondary school. This would broaden students’ understanding of different industries and job opportunities. Then students would be better able to choose the subjects they needed in senior forms.
The students’ broader knowledge would help them later in life; for example, if they lost their job due to a health crisis such as Covid-19, they would be able to switch jobs more easily.
There has been a lot of debate over whether students should have a three-day weekend. I don’t think this would be practical. Instead, I would impose a compulsory day of online classes so students would become more familiar with online tools. This would let students enjoy a day at home, and also help reduce road congestion and protect the environment.
Contestant 2
If I could change the education system in Hong Kong, I would not make Chinese the main teaching language in schools. It is hard for students from ethnic minorities to learn Chinese. Schools should give children a chance to learn their mother tongue because it is important to know about their own culture and traditions. This would help them gain a better understanding of other people’s customs.
Students should have the right to choose what language they are taught in. Schools should provide several language options. This would especially help minority students. Then those who are weak in Chinese could always choose to learn in English.
Contestant 3
A philosopher once said, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire”. Sadly, not a single spark of light can be seen in Hong Kong’s current education system.
Hong Kong students are forced to spend years memorising facts, gaining marks, and filling their pails. Such an education system is robbing students of their intelligence. Therefore, we must change our public examination system.
First and foremost, we have to stop assessing students on whether they are able to “hit the spot” in the marking scheme. Instead, we should focus on training their critical thinking and creativity. This should apply to humanities as well as Stem subjects. An analytical essay-based exam with a good balance of interactive discussion would be the best solution. In addition to improving students’ critical-thinking skills, it would enhance their language ability.