New Academic Structure – Meeting Aspirations through Multiple Pathways

2 Purpose of New Academic Structure – paradigm shift 1. Develop whole-person and life-long learning capabilities 2. Opportunities for ALL students to succeed by enabling them to find themselves, and meeting their aspirations, needs, aptitudes 3. Promote diversified human resource development in HK 4. Maintain HKs competitiveness as an international city

3 Some initial success Reducing early specialisation over 1,450 subject combinations each in S4 and S5 choices of elective subjects more diversified and not limited to a particular Key Learning Area (KLA): 68% of S4 students and 70% of S5 students take elective subjects from two or three KLAs all secondary schools offer an average of 11 to 12 elective subjects in S4 and S5

4 Some initial success – Unleashing students potential Examples: Student A My horizon broadened under the New Academic Structure and I learnt to have early planning for my future. Student B I could choose subjects according to my interests which enhanced my motivation towards learning. Student C I could have chances to participate in different kinds of activities through OLE which allowed me to explore my potential. Student D I had never thought of how to equip myself for my future until I compiled my SLP. I started to plan ahead for my future career. There are different study paths that we could choose to fulfill our career aspirations. I believe all roads lead to Rome.

While only 20% of the NAS graduates can enter universities, the remaining 80% will have no chances for future studies …

New Senior Secondary Curriculum Meeting Students Aspirations via Multiple Pathways The New Senior Secondary Curriculum provides a broad and balanced curriculum which fosters students whole-person development and life-long learning, allowing them to unleash their potential and realise their aspirations. The NAS connects more smoothly with multiple pathways so that students can make choices according to their interests and abilities.

7 Although not everyone can enter university directly, they can further their studies if they so wish: there are 110,000+ university degree and post-secondary places (e.g. sub- degree, higher diploma, VTC courses) for 108,300 graduates under NAS & old system All roads lead to Rome – it is not a failure if one cannot enter university directly; some students can enter university in the end through different pathways Old is old; new is new and there is no direct comparison between the two --- Under the old system, only some students would study sixth form and take the A-Level examination for admission to university. Under the new system, ALL students complete the senior secondary education and they should choose the pathway best suited to their interests and abilities tj NAS – for ALL students to succeed Change old mindset to new perspectives that help students develop their potential and aspirations via multiple pathways:

8 There is no loser in HKDSE --- everyone has a diploma that describes the knowledge and skills they possess Everybody has something that they were born to be good at. One may distinguish oneself in any trade --- students only need to excel in a particular area (e.g. through taking the VTC courses) in accordance with their personal goals and aspirations in order to succeed in different careers. Tomorrow is in the hands of those who have made preparation today. Change old mindset to new perspectives that help students develop their potential and aspirations via multiple pathways: NAS – for ALL students to succeed

9 Employment (announcement by Civil Service Bureau in June 2011) New Project Yi Jin Non-local courses offered in Hong Kong/Distance learning programmes Sub-degree Programmes [HD & AD] (including Chin Lang and Eng Lang) Vocational programmes Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Multiple & Diversified Pathways for Students Further Studies in Mainland China / Abroad Bachelors degree programmes (1-2 electives at Level 2/3) UGC funded : ( ) Self-financed: around 15700

Multiple Pathways University (1-4 years) Junior Secondary (S1-S3) Senior Secondary (S4-S6) Post- Secondary Post- graduate Project Yi Jin VTC Youth College

Information Portal for Accredited Self-financing Post-secondary Programmes (iPASS) & Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP) Applicant View programmes information on iPASS Enter application information and programme choices on E-APP (One application form for all programmes/institutions) Upload JUPAS Summary Report (with OEA) and SLP to E-APP E-APP forwards applications to institutions (Feb – May 2012) Institutions Process applications, contact applicants for interviews (if necessary) and make conditional offers (where applicable) Latest news Institutions offering bachelor s degree programmes Institutions offering sub-degree programmes VTC, Caritas Inst. of Higher Ed., Chu Hai College of Higher Ed., Hang Seng Mgt. College, Savannah College of Arts & Design, HKIEd (self-financing programmes only), Tung Wah College VTC (both publicly-funded and self-financing programmes), Caritas Inst. of Higher Ed, Caritas Bianchi College of Careers, Hang Seng Mgt College, Community College at Lingnan University, Community College of City University, HKU SPACE Community College, HKU SPACE PLK Community College, HK Art School, HKBU, HKBU School of Continuing Education and HKBU College of International Ed., HK Central College, HK College of Technology, HK Institute of Technology, Sacred Heart Canossian College of Commerce, CUHK – School of Continuing & Professional Studies, CUHK – TWGHs Community College, HKIED – School of Continuing & Professional Ed, HKPU – HK Community College, OUHK – Li Ka Shing Inst. of Professional and Continuing, Tung Wah College, Yew Chung Community College * Except those offered by the Hong Kong Shue Yan University and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts as participation in E-APP is on voluntary basis.

New Foundation Diploma Programme [L2 or above in 3 subjects (If Eng Lang not 1 of the 3, should attain L1 in Eng Lang)] Duration1 year New Foundation Diploma Programme [L2 or above in 3 subjects (If Eng Lang not 1 of the 3, should attain L1 in Eng Lang)] Duration1 year Higher Diploma Programmes L2 in 5 subjects (incl. Chin and Eng Lang) Duration2 years Higher Diploma Programmes L2 in 5 subjects (incl. Chin and Eng Lang) Duration2 years Bachelors Degree Programmes (4 yrs) Tech. & Higher Ed. Inst. of HK (THEI) [L3 or above in Chi and Eng Lang, L2 or above in Maths, LS and 1 elective ] Bachelors Degree Programmes (4 yrs) Tech. & Higher Ed. Inst. of HK (THEI) [L3 or above in Chi and Eng Lang, L2 or above in Maths, LS and 1 elective ] Holders of HKDSE Diploma in Vocational Ed. Programmes For S6 graduates Duration 1 year Diploma in Vocational Ed. Programmes For S6 graduates Duration 1 year Masters Degree Programmes Other Professional Cert. Course Prog. duration Hospitality Service 4 months – 2 years Chinese Chef 2 – 3 years Junior General Purpose Rating Course 23 weeks Other Professional Cert. Course Prog. duration Hospitality Service 4 months – 2 years Chinese Chef 2 – 3 years Junior General Purpose Rating Course 23 weeks 12 Latest news 6 newly launched programmes in 2012/13 BA (Hons) in Advertising BA (Hons) in Fashion Design BA (Hons) in Product Design B Eng (Hons) in Civil Engineering B Eng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Management B Soc Sc (Hons) in Sports and Recreation Management Application period 1 Dec 11 – 29 Feb 12 VTC: Web-AS EDB: E-APP (Feb to May) VTC Programmes

13 Employers recognise NAS & HKDSE: NAS cultivates the Key Attributes they are looking for. Impressed with the wide variety of ApL courses - help students understand their career aspirations. Understand explicitly what the candidates know and can do through the Standards-referenced Reporting (SRR) of the HKDSE The Student Learning Profile (SLP) facilitates their selection of candidates - attributes, attitudes, aspirations, etc.

14 Sectors that welcome HKDSE holders: Retail, Hotels, Airlines, Telecommunication, Health care, Mass Transportation, Broadcasting, I.T., Catering.... Sectors that anticipated a prevalent growth in demand in the labour market: Financial Services, Insurance, Construction, Property Development/Management Sectors that recorded high turnover rate: Community/Social/Personal Care, Import/Export, Trading & Distribution Situation in employment sectors

15 The HKDSE has secured recognition from overseas academic agencies, universities and governments … HK Delegations to Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, South East Asia … Positive response! Australia has recognised the HKDSE as equivalent to the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. UCAS Study: UCAS tariff points to 23 subjects (except Maths); Standards of the HKDSE is broadly comparable to GCE (AL) Examination -- Level of HKDSE Broadly comparable to GCE A Level 5Grade A 4Grade C 3Grade E UCAS: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UK) HKDSE a Global Passport for Overseas Pathways

16 They welcome the change … They welcome the change … Preparing students for whole-person development and life-long learning … Encouraging international student mobility … Useful information from Student Learning Profile … Actively considering admission requirements of HKDSE holders … (UK, USA, Australia, Canada) EDB and HKEAA jointly publish information regarding admission requirements from overseas universities Encouraging Responses from Overseas Countries…

International Recognition: Admission Requirements for holders of HKDSE Admission requirements for HKDSE of individual university/ institution

18 Continued visits and liaison with overseas countries and economies to garner support and recognition Update governments of each jurisdiction of the progress of NAS to facilitate student exchange and mobility Positive views on NAS in International Education Forum & Expo from 14 to 16 July More Mainland institutions would exempt HKDSE students from joint entrance exam in 2012 Recent news…

19 Sept – Dec 2011 (information & support): Disseminate all necessary information on multiple pathways to parents & students (e.g. Information Pack) Workshops on New Academic Structure – Meeting Aspirations through Multiple Pathways for schools Inter-sector regional briefing sessions for parents Start counseling service for parents & students Some critical milestones (1)

20 25 Oct 2011 – 9 Jan 2012 Submission of JUPAS main applications 1 Dec 2011 – 29 Feb 2012Application for VTC programmes Early Dec 2011 Issue of Candidates Handbook for HKDSE 1 – 16 Jan 2012Delivery of practice papers to schools Jan – Apr 2012Submission of SBA marks for S6 students Feb – May 2012 Application for post-secondary programmes (submit applications via the E-APP platform) 28 Mar – 3 May 2012HKDSE written exams 20 July 2012 Release of HKDSE results 20 – 27 Jul 2012 Application for rechecking and remarking via online portal 21 – 23 July 2012 Modification of choices in JUPAS 17 Aug 2012Announcement of JUPAS Main Round Offer results for HKDSE applicants Some critical milestones (2)

21 What are the new opportunities for students under the NAS? All students get the diploma -- HKDSE : a global passport for further studies and employment a more informative diploma (SRR) with strong value no pass or failure -- all students receive proper recognition a credible diploma with international & local recognition secured Smooth articulation to multiple pathways for study or work that cater for students diverse needs/abilities and results All students to develop their potential and meet their aspirations!

Thank you!