Less pressure on students if university language rule axed, Hong Kong head teachers’ group says

Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools has proposed universities adopt points system based on exam results of candidates’ best five subjects

Reading Time:2 minutes

Students are concerned about getting the required pass marks in Chinese and English exams every year, a school principal says. Photo: Handout

Published: 5:14pm, 28 Sep 2024

Scrapping language requirements for university admission in Hong Kong may help to reduce the pressure on students and allow those with different abilities and talents to gain entry, a secondary school head teachers’ group has said.

The group earlier said it had proposed that a points system be adopted based on the exam results of candidates’ best five subjects, arguing that it would not affect the quality of undergraduates.

Veronica Yau Kit-ying, vice-chairwoman of the Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools, told a radio programme on Saturday that students were stressed about whether they would secure the required level 3 pass under a seven-grade system in Chinese and English.

“Every year, the day before the exam results are released, what worries students is that they will either fail English or Chinese,” said Yau, who is also principal of Fanling Kau Yan College.

Veronica Yau is also principal of Fanling Kau Yan College. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Currently, for public university entrance, students must get a minimum of at least level 3 in both Chinese and English language subjects, level 2 in maths, “attained” in the other core subject, citizenship and social development, and level 2 in two electives, commonly known as “332A22”.

Her association earlier submitted a proposal for the Hong Kong leader’s coming policy address, urging the government to drop the language requirements for university admission to “avoid placing too much focus” on these skills as authorities were seeking to promote institutions specialising in vocational training.