Hong Kong’s secondary schools may be in for reform if the initiative of one secondary school head gains ground. This is with regards to his drive to his push to veer away from the regular exams and grading system and shift towards qualities like leadership, scientific thinking, initiative, and numeracy.
Toby Newton, the head of International College Hong Kong (ICHK) reasons out how these traits are what employers are looking for. Aside from that, he believes that grades are not really what universities and employers place weight on. He deems all of this as a fantasy, the South China Morning Post said.
Overall, Newton believes that encouraging student growth can prove to be more effective over the grades-based system. To illustrate, he singles out a student development technique called the “free-learning” project. There are no rules and participants are not allowed to use sharp implements. Students are challenged to improvise and innovate to find ways to attain the goal/s. When their efforts fail, they need to be open to humor and ready to start from scratch when needed.
Would this alternative method of learning be better than the conventional one? Newton is confident about it and even believes that it secondary school can be redefined by it. He points out how the traditional method may harm children, particularly the part where they are graded.
Newton is not alone in believing that there are harmful effects that the traditional manner of grading brings. Legislative Council member, Fernando Cheung Chiu-Hung, agrees with Newton’s claim. He thinks that the conventional way of evaluating and grading kids are harmful, pointing out the practice of drilling in schools as well as in tutorial classes have resulted in an imbalance regarding sleeping, playing and learning.
Both their takes are further backed by a 2017 survey which indicates that half of the secondary and tertiary-level students in Hong Kong have resulted in signs of depression, the South China Morning Post said. While this seems to address the discomforts suffered by kids, a potential shift in the method of learning raises several concerns as well.
Aside from child depression, there is also the concern tied up to students entering the workplace unprepared. The need to have a proper DSE (Diploma for Secondary Education) weighs heavily before coming the tertiary level, something that lawmaker Ip Kin-yuen points out.
Termed as a repetition, the fact is that exams and grades still play an essential part for the future of students. A shift towards a new method of learning may need time, and all Newton can do for now is hope for the best and that teachers can provide students with the right kind of education.
