Reflection of Hong Kong Education System

* This article is written when I was in F.6. That is an assignment but finally I have not submitted.

The report of HKCEE result has been disclosed a few days before. About 40% of candidates have reached the minimum requirement to attend F.6. And the number of student who got ten As is more than previous year. The result seems to be improved. But we have overlooked the 60% of candidates who are not able to attend F.6. And the amazing result is that about 10% of them did not got any marks. They had got nothing in 5 years of secondary education! These figures show what? It shows the defeat of Hong Kong education system.

Educationists have realized the declining standard of Hong Kong students. They urged the government to put more resources on education and they endeavor to work out plans on education reform. In fact, our government has put a lot of fund on education already. But the problem is, more the fund invest does not equal to higher standard of Hong Kong students. In order to improve the declining standard of Hong Kong students, some education reformers suggest Through-train Mode while some educationists insist on providing more seats for students on university such as Associate Degree Programme. But I have different points of view.

Recently, Education Department has changed the banding system from five bands to three bands. And Through-train Mode will take the place of banding system later. This mean, no difference on schools will occur. Parents are required to choose the closer school but not for reputable school. No well-known brand name will show on secondary school. This gives a signal to parents that a good exam result depends on students themselves instead of well-known schools. That is a question, whether well-known schools produce ten As students or instead? I find two reasons to explain why ten As student always come from band one school.

Firstly, students from band one school mostly come from band one primary school. They just maintain their standard on HKCEE. Another reason is that no low-standard or lazy students are able to take a seat on band one school, the learning progress will not be disturbed. In the other words, it is more suitable to group student with near standard to one school. The more specific the banding, the lesser the difference will be at same school. Then, high-standard students will not encumber with low-standard students and teachers can put more effort on those low-standard students. Thus, I can not see any benefit to implement Through-train Mode.

Associate Degree Programme is another failure. Government intent to raise the quota of university. About 60% of students will be graduated as a Bachelor. This will be a successful programme if its aim is quantity but not quality. Students may not reach the required standard to be a graduate under this system. This is not a way to solve the declining standard of students. Instead, it will reduce the incentive of hard-working students. I can get a seat on university even if I do not work very hard. So, why should I work hard? As a result, the standard of student as a whole will be diminished.

Education is a long-term investment, government should be conscious before making decision. Fund should be invested on education and on the best place. Raise the quota of university like a match with no loser. Nobody will like to watch this match if all competitors are winner. This would only waste our education resources. I hope our government would consider this point.