[lg policy] Hong Kong's policy on language of instruction must put students first

[Harold Schiffman]

Hong Kong's policy on language of instruction must put students first
PUBLISHED : Friday, 10 July, 2015, 1:42am
UPDATED : Friday, 10 July, 2015, 2:35am

SCMP Editorial

    The latest figures show that about a third of the 100 schools allowed
to teach in English are actually failing to meet the threshold.

The latest figures show that about a third of the 100 schools allowed to
teach in English are actually failing to meet the threshold. Photo: Thomas
Yau

If a government policy is not properly followed by those it intends to
regulate, common sense will say the policy is either flawed or there are
enforcement issues. In any case, officials are expected to review the
situation and come up with better solutions. Doing nothing is not an
option. Sadly, this appears to be the case with the medium of instruction
in secondary schools. Under the so-called fine-tuning measures introduced
in 2010, classes cannot be taught in English unless 85 per cent of a
school's students belong to the top 40 per cent of their age group
academically. The policy enables more classes to be taught in English and
helps dilute any negative perceptions there may be about the medium of
instruction at schools.

Five years have passed and the result of this policy leaves a lot to be
desired. The latest figures show that about a third of the 100 schools that
are allowed to teach in English are actually failing to meet the threshold.
But instead of switching back to Chinese for the next academic year as
originally required, the government has decided to let them continue using
English until the next review in 2022. Schools should be allowed a stable
teaching environment, education minister Eddie Ng Hak-kim said.

The government is probably more concerned about complaints from parents and
students if dozens of schools are suddenly forbidden to teach in English.
Given there is still a strong preference for English-medium schools, the
remaining ones would be even more sought after. But the delaying tactic is
indeed a political time bomb for the future administration. A long-term
strategy is called for.

It does not take an expert to tell that academic development will be
hampered if students are forced to learn in a language they are not good
at. That is why the government set a high threshold to ensure that only the
capable ones would learn in English. The steady-as-it-goes approach adopted
by the government is certainly welcomed by parents and schools. But it is
also deferring the problems.

A fall in enrolment is said to be the reason why dozens of schools do not
have enough top students to meet the requirement. If that is the case, the
threshold should be reviewed, otherwise schools will be forced to breach
the policy.

The government's reluctance to deal with the problem means schools are left
with the responsibility to make the final decision. Students are not guinea
pigs. If some schools are found to be incapable of teaching in English,
they must give up lest the students continue to suffer.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as Put
students first in language policy

http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1835555/hong-kongs-policy-language-instruction-must-put-students

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