A document published by the Education Bureau has said primary schools should avoid giving written tests for pupils studying science in primary one and two when they introduce a new curriculum late next year.

Authorities earlier announced that primary students would study science starting late 2025, in a bid to promote STEAM education.

The curriculum framework published on Monday said schools should avoid having young primary pupils take written assessments, so as to reduce their stress while giving them more time for scientific exploration.

It said schools can check how younger pupils are getting on in other ways, such as by asking them questions, listening to their oral presentations, and reading their science journals.

The Subsidised Primary Schools Council's chairman, So Ping-fai, said while primary one pupils can be assessed without testing, he hoped flexibility would be allowed for primary two students.

"Even scientific explorations have to be recorded using pencil and paper... And primary three students will take the Territory-wide System Assessment. We don't want them to suddenly have to deal with exam stress when they are in primary three," he said.

The curriculum stated that students would get to design models or products in science class, apart from learning about natural phenomena.

So called on authorities to provide training for teachers, saying there are not many who specialise in science education.