Thank you, Deputy President. With the rapid development of digital economy, artificial intelligence (“AI”) has become an essential engine for driving social progress and a new focus in education. To fully support the national strategies and development, it is necessary for us to conduct a comprehensive study on the reform of the curriculum framework for primary and secondary schools.
Focusing on enhancing teachers’ professional training and resources is very important. In his 2024 Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposes the continuous promotion of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education in primary and secondary schools, including providing support for teachers in using AI in teaching, and promoting the in-depth integration of AI and education. The Education Bureau also launched the “AI for Science Education” Funding Programme in 2024, which is specifically designed for teachers of Junior Secondary Science. The Programme aims to support schools to integrate AI into learning and teaching, encourage innovation in teaching, enhance the learning effectiveness of students by adopting innovative pedagogies.
Successful applicant schools will receive a grant of $100,000 which is mainly intended for subsidizing science teachers to enrol in short-term training courses on AI applications offered by post-secondary institutions or relevant professional bodies, and for supporting schools to collaborate with the relevant organizations to develop projects for implementing AI-assisted teaching. Participating schools are required to fulfil certain conditions, such as developing at least two examples of or resources for the application of AI in the teaching of Junior Secondary Science, and organizing at least one on or off campus experience sharing session.
The Education Bureau has to design AI programmes for different stages of primary and secondary schools in response to the global education trend. For example, Beijing has clearly stipulated that starting from the fall semester of 2025, all primary and secondary schools in the city must offer on the general knowledge of AI with no less than eight lesson hours per academic year. The Ministry of Education of Singapore has also announced that starting from 2025, all primary and secondary schools will be provided with 5 to 10 hours of AI academic modules. It is recommended that the Education Bureau should draw reference from this practice and require all primary and secondary school to introduce AI programmes into all subjects and formulate a clear curriculum framework. To ensure the effectiveness of the reform, teacher training is one of the key factors. It is recommended that the Government should continue to subsidize teachers to take AI courses, strengthen the promotion of the relevant training programmes and the provision of course information to schools, and expand the variety of courses to enhance the relevance and increase the choices of further education for teachers.
In terms of teaching mode, we should no longer limit ourselves to the traditional textbook teaching, but actively develop diversified extra-curricular practical activities. In today’s society, the application of AI is inevitable, and AI education should not only involve the transfer of skills and knowledge. It should also services as an important pathway for cultivating students’ innovative thinking and problem-solving ability. The authorities should continue to promote the integration of AI teaching and learning, encourage schools to organize activities such as AI application competitions, so that students can master AI technology when solving practical problems.
While it is definitely important to promote AI education, it is even more important that we emphasize the morality and character development under AI education. Schools should cultivate in students correct ethical views in the application of technology and a sense of social responsibility. It is suggested that the authorities should also flexibly integrate AI content into civic education to, through contextual teaching, case discussions, etc., guide students to ponder on the impacts of AI technology on individuals and society, and to cultivate their critical thinking and moral judgment, so as to enhance their self-management ability in the new era.
As a part of our country, Hong Kong has the advantage of being an international city. We need to take a broader view and be determined to take forward the reform of the curriculum framework, enhance the quality of education in Hong Kong, nurture talents in innovation and technology for the future, and maintain Hong Kong’s competitiveness in the international arena.
I so submit.