Task force suggests Liberal Studies to remain as one of four core subjects

Liberal Studies should remain as one of four core subjects with a view to developing students’ competencies required in the 21st century, said the Task Force on Review of School Curriculum.

The Task Force submitted its review report to the Education Bureau today, and firmed up six directional recommendations to the bureau.

The six recommendations included reinforcing the importance of whole-person development, according higher priority to values education, creating space and catering for learner diversity, further promoting Applied Learning, enhancing the flexibility in university admissions, and strengthening STEM education.

For arrangements on Liberal Studies, the task force suggested students could choose to opt out of the Independent Enquiry Study by turning it into an extended and optional part, and giving separate grades for the written paper and the study.

They also suggested providing professional consultancy service for officially scrutinising published Liberal Studies “textbooks” sold on the market and consider vetting them.

The task force also suggested reviewing the modes of assessment for Chinese Language, including but not limited to removing/streamlining/combining the present speaking and listening examination papers.

While for English Language, there could be further streamlining of the School-based Assessment arrangement and review how the Elective Part could be better assessed in the Writing Paper of the HKDSE examination.

The university admission criteria should also remain unchanged, maintaining 3322 as the General Entrance Requirements for first-year first-degree programmes and encourage universities to exercise greater flexibility in student admissions.

“We will study the report carefully and consider the views from different walks of life so as to undertake follow-up work prudently. Any changes related to the curriculum content and assessment will be carried out by the bureau in collaboration with the Curriculum Development Council, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, and other stakeholders under the existing mechanism,” said Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung.