Secretary for Education Christine Choi on Friday said a one-year grace period might be allowed for a government proposal that requires teachers to obtain a practising certificate and renew it every three years.

The new plan, in addition to the current teacher registration requirement, could help teachers keep pace with the times and enhance management, she said.

Speaking at the Legislative Council’s Panel on Education, Choi said a practising certificate would be valid for no more than three academic years and teachers must be employed by a school to obtain it.

Other requirements include the declaration of any criminal conviction and completion of 150 hours of continuing professional development training over the three years, she said.

As authorities expect to receive a large amount of applications should the amendment come into effect, Choi said her bureau was considering a grace period of one year.

“Teachers who wish to obtain a practising certificate sooner are welcome to do so. We can start handling the applications and issuing the certificates right after the bill comes into effect,” she said.

“But if teachers require some more time and wish to obtain a certificate in the second year after the amendment, meaning they do not have a certificate in the first year, we can also accept that, and that’s how the grace period works.”

Teachers will also be required to “ordinarily reside in Hong Kong” to obtain a certificate under the government plan.

But Choi said even if teachers were currently outside the SAR, they could still qualify for the certificate as long as a school hires them by the time of their application and they declare their intention to stay in the city in the following 12 months.

The amendment bill is expected to be tabled to the legislature in the second half of this year, according to the Education Bureau.