334 Scheme
The 334 Scheme is the new academic structure for senior secondary education and higher education in Hong Kong. This scheme begins starting from the 2009 school year. By 2012, HKDSE will replace HKCEE and HKALE.
Curriculum
Its core subjects are Chinese language, English language, Mathematics and Liberal studies, with three elective subjects. It is different from the old curriculum because students under this new academic structure only receive three years of senior secondary education and four years of university education. In order to move on to university education, students must get a pass on those four core subjects in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE).
Advantages
- This new system aligns with the educational systems of China, North America, and Australia.
- Instead of writing two external examinations, HKCEE and HKALE, students under "334" will only sit for one external examination, the HKDSE. This may help to simplify the post-secondary admissions process for students, and may help to alleviate the added stress of having to prepare for two separate examinations.
Disadvantages
- The change in format of external examination adds burden on teachers and students in the transition cohorts, as they may be accustomed to the old examinations.
- Liberal studies is a new subject, which requires additional training for teachers.
- Since the two public exams are combined into one, there is no longer a first exam to act as a filter. Due to the wide range in the competency levels exhibited by the student population, designing the new exam papers becomes more difficult and time-consuming.
References