Hong Kong teachers must meet training hours requirement for practising certificate

Teachers who fail to complete the required hours of professional development will be denied practising certificates, Hong Kong’s education authorities have said, ahead of meeting next week to discuss details of the proposed scheme.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin said the proposal would also outline the requirements for rejoining the profession after registered teachers had left the sector for a period of time.

The proposed certificate was introduced as a new measure in Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s policy address in September. Under the plan, teachers will be required to obtain the certification from the Education Bureau – valid for a set period and subject to regular renewal – in addition to their existing teacher registration.

Choi told the Legislative Council’s education panel on Tuesday that the government would discuss the proposed certificate next week, with the meeting scheduled for February 6.

The panel will also address the Code of Practice for Private Schools, following reports that some local institutions had partnered with mainland Chinese agencies to offer classes. The government subsequently revoked or suspended the registrations of at least two schools.

Choi said the introduction of the certificate requiring regular renewal aimed to ensure all teachers were “fit and proper”, thereby safeguarding professional teaching standards.