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Upgrading teachers More primary teachers required to be degree holders By Lisa Wong |
Samantha Wong |
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“I think the reason for this is social pressure,” said Mr. Au Pak-kuen, vice-president of the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union. “The upgrading pace in the past was very discouraging. Teachers’ morale is seriously affected.” He also pointed out that there were enough qualified graduates for the set percentage and thus there should be no delay to the process. Dr. Chan Benjamin Yeuk Man, chairman of the Department of Educational Administration and Policy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, said that upgrading of teachers qualifications has been a global trend. Said Dr. Chan: “Teaching has been an ‘all-graduate’ profession in many developed countries such as the United States, Britain and Japan. “The education system in Hong Kong is often compared with them, so the teachers must be upgraded.” Mr. Leung Yan-wing, lecturer in the Department of Education Management and Professional Support at the Hong Kong Institute of Education, said, “University graduates and our graduates are often treated differently. Principals prefer applicants with degrees. “In fact, I do not think our graduates are in any aspect less competitive than university graduates. The latter ones may have in-depth, knowledge but this means nothing if they do not know how to teach.” Though graduates of the institute are assured fair treatment, there are plans for a 4-year, full-time bachelor of education programme. Apart from graduates of teacher training institutes, the process also affects in-service teachers who are not degree holders because they have to work and study at the same time. Ms Lam Yin-Kwan, deputy director of the Education Department of the Professional Teachers’ Union, suggested a credit system as an alternative to help the in-service teachers. Said she: “This would allow teachers, especially those with families to care for, to adjust their timetables according to their own schedules.” Mr. Leung agreed. “In order to encourage and assist teachers for further studies,” he said, “teaching experiences should be allowed to be converted into some credits to reduce the time and money spent.” Although a number of teachers are going to upgrade themselves as graduate teachers, the Advisory Committee on Teacher Education and Qualification suggested importing teachers from the Mainland. Mr. Leung said this is “the Government’s ‘instant noodle’ way to solve a problem.” Pointing out that the Government worries there won’t be enough qualified university graduates, Mr. Au also doubted the need to import Mainland teachers. Said he: “The Government should not forget that there are many in-service teachers who have already acquired degrees in their spare time. According to both Mr. Au and Dr. Chan, there are many considerations that need to be taken into account before importing teachers. “A good command of knowledge is only one of the important factors determining whether one can be a good teacher,” said Mr. Au. “Other factors include a comprehensive understanding of local culture, a willingness to take part in school activities, communication skills and an ability to solve problems for the students,” said he. Dr. Chan said, “Mainland teachers have to understand the unique teenage and social problems in Hong Kong in order to help the students. Such an understanding can only be acquired through long time observation. “They may come across communication problems too.” He also said devotion is an important factor in being a good teacher. Said he: “If they do not like their jobs and their students, they are not qualified to be teachers, no matter what kind of degrees they are holding.” |
Less pay or no job
December 1997
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