Degree course in primary education
Teachers soon to graduate
By Angela Yau
Both Hong Kong University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong provide such degree courses. The first group of students will graduate in 1996.
According to Dr. Mak Chiu Ling, coordinator of the full-time bachelor of education programme in primary education at the Chinese University, graduates of Colleges of Education have already acquired enough training on teaching skills and practical teaching experience.
Dr. Mak said, “The programme thus put more emphasis on the theoretical, historical as well as social backgrounds of primary education.
“Students can get a broader view of education and the role of teachers in society,” said Dr. Mak.
Miss Ma Suk Yan said the 3-year diploma course of the colleges of education and the 2-year degree course at the Chinese University are different. Miss Ma is a final year student in the Department of Primary Education at the Chinese University.
Miss Ma said, “The curriculum places more emphasis on reflective education, which means that we should evaluate our teaching methods in the future constantly.
“We are encouraged to develop critical thinking and make reasonable decisions,” said she.
It seems that being a degree-holding primary teacher is a general trend in Hong Kong.
Said Miss Ma: “In order to compete with others and equip myself for a future career, I think it is a wise choice to take a degree course in primary education.”
Looking forward to her career, Miss Ma expressed enthusiasm about being a teacher.
“To be a teacher is to love your students. I hope my students can learn happily,” said she.
Mr. Kenneth Lam, another final year student in the department, said teachers should be considerate.
“A teacher needs to be more patient and concerned about students.
“By this I mean even the naughtiest child can become brilliant.
“When I become a teacher, I’ll try my best to teach our future generation,” said he.
Mr. Lam plans to take a proactive approach.
“More interaction between teachers and students would give students incentives to improve themselves.
“For example, role playing and drama enable students to learn through experience,” said he.
Miss Li Chiu Lan, a Year 1 student of the Department of Primary Education at the Chinese University, said, “I need to prepare a lot of props for each lesson.
“I feel like being a magician in front of the class.”
However, many graduates are worried about public recognition of their professional status.
Theoretically, a certificate holder can be a “certificate master”, whereas a degree-holder can become a “graduate master” with a higher salary.
However, students of the primary education degree courses at the Chinese University and Hong Kong University are preparing to be certificate masters because graduate master places are limited in primary schools.
According to Mr. Wong Tai Kong, a teacher at Po Leung Kuk Fong Wong Kam Cheun Primary School in Tuen Mun, only 30 percent of teachers in each primary school can become graduate masters. This only accounts for fewer than 10 teachers in a primary school.
“Limited places for graduate masters are left for teachers because the principal, vice-principal and senior teachers have already occupied some places.
“Besides having a degree qualification, a teacher applying for a graduate master must get a recommendation from a principal,” said Mr. Wong.
Said Mr. Stephen Andrews, course director for the bachelor’s of education in primary education at Hong Kong University:
“I also agree that graduates from the course are not guaranteed a post of graduate master in primary schools.
“When assigning graduate masters, the principal gives preference to senior teachers.
“A fresh graduate is not as competitive as senior teachers in striving for a graduate master. Fresh graduates have limited experiences in teaching,” said he.
“The financial support of the government of the universities for running the courses will come to an end after 1996.”
It is planned that the Hong Kong Institute of Education will introduce bachelor of education degree program- mes as soon as possible.
Added Mr. Andrews: “We are waiting for a further decision of the government to see if we can continue this course or not after the 1996 intake of students.
“At present, whether the Hong Kong Institute of Education is ready to take the task is uncertain,” he said.
