3 easy wins to modernise Hong Kong’s education system

Hong Kong's education system is in dire need of a modernization overhaul. With the rise of automation and artificial intelligence, workplaces now demand talent equipped with relational intelligence, technological literacy and practical skills. To address this, three relatively simple changes could be made. First, the way school assessments are structured needs to evolve.

Traditional rote memorization quizzes are outdated and AI poses challenges for in-school submissions. Instead, greater emphasis should be placed on verbal communication, including dialogical cross-examination of ideas. Shorter, yet well-designed examinations that test higher-order evaluative and comparative skills, coupled with mandatory in-person viva voce (oral examination), should be introduced.

Secondly, secondary students should have the opportunity to explore the world beyond Hong Kong through authentic experiences. This should extend beyond the mainland to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and Central and South Asia. The city, despite being a "superconnector" and bilingual metropolis, lacks sufficient linguistic and cultural training offerings.

Introducing six "Other Languages" and positioning Hong Kong as a hub for understanding Asia would greatly benefit students. Lastly, Hong Kong must strive to internationalize not just its higher education sector, but also its secondary school curriculum. The DSE, the city's university entrance examinations, should be more proactive in promoting itself as a regionally competitive and internationally significant education offering.

Alternative curricula, such as the International Baccalaureate or A-levels, should also be introduced in public schools, making them accessible to all students, not just those who can afford international schooling. These three proposals, while not a comprehensive solution, could provide a starting point for reforming Hong Kong's education system.