New curriculum for junior secondary students would teach students about mainland China’s achievements in space exploration and clean energy.
Hong Kong’s Education Bureau has proposed highlighting China’s scientific achievements, especially in space exploration, in junior secondary science classes. Photo: CMSABefore you read: Hong Kong’s Education Bureau is proposing a change to the science curriculum for junior secondary students. Subject revamp will include learning about mainland China’s contributions to science, particularly in space exploration and environmental conservation
Think about it: How else can students learn about the scientific advancements happening in mainland China other than the proposed curriculum? Why is such teaching important?
Junior secondary school students in Hong Kong will learn about mainland China’s achievements in science under a proposed revamp of the subject.
Last week, the Education Bureau published a consultation draft of the science curriculum framework for Forms One to Three, following up on the city leader’s pledge to update the subject in his policy address in October.
The bureau said one of the aims of the revamp was to help students “recognise the contributions and major achievements made by our country in scientific development”.
“It also enhances the content of scientific inquiry and cross-disciplinary learning, including applications of artificial intelligence, engineering practices and data processing, facilitating students’ understanding of scientific and technological developments in the contemporary world and in the country,” it said.
The updated curriculum, once confirmed, will be applied from the 2027-28 academic year, and schools can start pilot implementation in 2025-26.
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The bureau said the subject would cover 13 topics. Authorities will add a new study unit called “Earth and Space”.
Under this new unit, students will be required to learn about the major achievements in China’s space exploration initiatives, such as the Tiangong Space Station.
They must also cover the contribution of local scientists in national space research projects.
“By understanding the contribution and achievements made by our country in the development of space science, students will appreciate the spirit of commitment from scientists to society,” the bureau said.
The draft document said activities for students could include searching for information about the mainland’s development of clean energy, watching clips about the lives of Chinese astronauts on the Tiangong Space Station and visiting a locally based aerospace science education centre.
The bureau also advised students to watch clips from a video series about the Chinese space station to learn about experiments astronauts conducted, with topics ranging from gravity to gas bubbles.
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In another topic called “Living Things and the Environment”, the bureau suggested students search for information on the mainland’s achievements in mangrove conservation and restoration.
Lee Yi-ying, chairwoman of the Subsidised Secondary Schools Council and a secondary school principal, said the new curriculum could improve understanding of China’s contributions to aerospace science, as it has played an important role in the field in the past two decades.
“The new curriculum, of course, aims to boost national education, but students have to learn and understand the country’s fast development in this aspect anyway, as China has really made an impact in this field,” she said.
She said she hoped education authorities would offer relevant training to teachers.
The school sector can express its views on the draft in the coming two months. Authorities will hold a briefing session introducing the new framework and government support measures on January 8.