Hong Kong may place more emphasis on sports when assessing pupils for secondary school

Education Bureau proposes revised grading mechanism in which PE scores are included while weightage for some other subjects slightly reduced

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Primary school pupils’ performance in PE may become part of their secondary school allocation assessments under a new grading rubric. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 2:21pm, 23 Jul 2024Updated: 5:18pm, 24 Jul 2024

Hong Kong primary school pupils may have their sports performance evaluated alongside their academic scores under a revised grading rubric for allocation to secondary school, the Post has learned.

The Education Bureau submitted its proposal after authorities earlier revamped the curriculum to split the current general studies subject into science and humanities, and placing a significant emphasis on patriotic education.

Under the current practice, schools internally evaluate their pupils for secondary school allocation with three rounds of exams – one in the latter term of Primary Five and two in Primary Six – and submit those scores to the Education Bureau under a standardised 38-point system.

Core subjects such as Chinese language, English and mathematics currently take up nine points each; general studies six; music two; and visual arts three. Physical education (PE) does not currently take up any points.

However, according to sources familiar with the new proposal, pupils graded under the new rubric for secondary school allocation would have their performance in PE included, with the subject taking up two points.