The government’s efforts to enhance the senior secondary science and extended mathematics curriculum will encourage more students to take the subjects, according to an education sector representative.

This came after the Education Bureau announced the enhancement measures in a circular to schools, saying it aims to strengthen science, technology and maths education (STEM) to improve students’ innovation and technology capabilities.

The bureau said it is reviewing the curriculum content and assessment arrangements for senior secondary science subjects and extended maths.

It plans on dividing the content into core and extended parts to cater to students with different abilities and study needs.

It also called on schools to encourage students with interests or potential in science to take two or more science and mathematics subjects at the senior secondary level.

Speaking at a RTHK radio programme, Ho Wai-lung, chairman of the Mathematics Committee of the Hong Kong Association for Science and Mathematics Education, said the measures would encourage students take science subjects.

“The Education Bureau wants students to know that if they are interested in science, wish to continue to study science and mathematics subjects in university and conduct further studies, it’s important to learn from a young age,” he said.

But Ho said some schools might face challenges in manpower, adding that teachers may need to go through further education to align with the policy.

He also dismissed concerns that the focus on maths and science education would hinder students’ all-round development, saying pupils could still choose their subjects freely.



Edited by Tony Sabine