HKIEd is playing a pivotal role, supporting teachers in the enhancement of their skills and knowledge in the upcoming reforms.

Unlike other tertiary institutions, the Institute already operates a four-year programme for all undergraduates pursuing their Bachelor of Education degrees. Following the introduction of the new structure, the additional year will allow the Institute to incorporate additional elements somewhat akin to clinical practices, allowing pre-service teachers to strengthen their professional competencies. Such an arrangement would benefit both the Institute and the schools with whom the HKIEd works in partnership. More importantly, this will mean that in the long term, schools will enjoy teachers of the finest calibre, who are fully versed in their chosen profession.

Upgrading In-service Teachers

With the implementation of the education reforms, there will be a huge need for serving teachers to become qualified  in
Liberal Studies. Additionally, by effectively raising the school leaving age from Form 5 to Form 6 at senior secondary school levels, teachers will face additional challenges with a more diversified student body. The implementation of school-based assessment will also impact on the future strategies and curriculum leadership of individual schools, as they work towards their smooth migration to the new education structure.
The "3-3-4" education reform consultation document unveiled a reform process which would have far-reaching implications across the entire education community.
Students are encouraged to excel with awards for Outstanding Academic Performance.
The Institute has thus set up a special Task Force to develop programmes to support these new requirements. The Postgraduate Diploma in Education Programme ( Liberal Studies Subject Knowledge and Pedagogy), to be launched in 2005-06, will be one such vehicle, expanding opportunities for the professional development of serving teachers. The Institute is also developing plans to help schools develop assessment approaches which will support these reforms. Fully committed to these initiatives, the Institute has also been looking to establish a conveniently-located Town Centre which will offer quality in-service programmes for serving teachers at a more central location.

The Attractiveness of Teaching
as a Career

In the past few years, the decline in the school-age student population, teacher redundancies and school closures have served to deter young people from considering teaching as a prospective career. Deeply concerned with the long-term impact of this situation and in a bid to gain an in-depth understanding of this changing context, the Institute conducted a study with regard to teacher demand and supply in Hong Kong as well as the perceptions of secondary school graduates towards teaching as a career.