Ref: EDB(GD)/20/25/50/O Government of the HKSAR Education Bureau
14 September 2021
EDUCATION BUREAU CIRCULAR No. 015/2021
Implementing “Life Planning Education for Primary Schools”
at Upper Primary Level
[Note: This circular should be read by –
(a) Heads of government primary schools, aided primary schools and Direct Subsidy Scheme primary schools – for action; and
(b) Supervisors/Heads of private primary schools and heads of sections – for information.]
Summary
This circular informs schools of the learning contents, implementation strategies and relevant support measures of “Life Planning Education for Primary Schools”.
Details
Life Planning Education for Primary Schools
2. The Task Force on Review of School Curriculum has recommended that Life Planning Education (LPE) should commence early at upper primary and junior secondary levels to help younger students better understand their own aspirations, needs, interests and abilities, and develop a broader view of future pathways and occupations, thereby nurturing in them positive attitudes towards learning and life.
In light of the rapid changes and development of the society, apart from helping students make choices about future studies and work out career plans, schools have the responsibilities to broaden students’ horizons so that they are well prepared for future challenges. The Education Bureau (EDB) has accepted the Task Force’s recommendations and will progressively implement LPE at upper primary level (i.e.
Primary Four to Primary Six) starting from the 2021/22 school year.
3. The learning contents of “Life Planning Education for Primary Schools” cover the following three core elements:
2
(i) “Self-understanding and development” through which students can understand their own self and the impact of external influences on life planning;
(ii) “Study pathways/career exploration” through which students can explore the opportunities, constraints and options available for study and career development; and
(iii) “Planning and management of further studies” with which students are assisted to make choices about academic progression, work out and keep to their progression plan, which will enable them to learn how to cope with changes associated with future studies and career pursuits.
4. Among the four key learning areas of the existing Personal Growth Education (PGE) at primary level, namely Personal Development, Social Development, Academic Development and Career Development, some learning elements of LPE are already covered.
Learning Objectives and Core Elements
5. The EDB has reviewed the contents of Career Development under PGE when finalising the framework and learning focuses of “Life Planning Education for Primary Schools”. The relevant learning contents can help students better understand their own aspirations, needs, interests and abilities. Through setting personal goals and mapping out plans, as well as sharing with family members their expectations for future, students can prepare themselves better for choices about future studies and life planning. In addition, we have included other learning contents to enhance students’ awareness of occupational prejudice that arises from gender or social status stereotyping and help them develop positive values and proper attitudes towards learning and life.
6. To facilitate schools’ planning of school-based LPE in a systematic manner, we have devised the “Framework of Implementation Strategies on Life Planning Education for Primary Schools”, which outlines the core elements to be covered in implementing LPE at upper primary level and the recommended implementation strategies for schools’ reference. This framework can be downloaded from the EDB’s thematic website on “Life Planning Education for Primary Schools”
(https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/GD/projects-services) [Home > Teachers Related >
Student Guidance and Discipline Services > Projects and Services > Life Planning
3
Education for Primary Schools].
Planning and Implementation Strategies
7. Schools are advised to build on and enhance their existing PGE and capitalise on the platform of PGE lessons. In particular, enhancements should be made to the learning focuses of Career Development, and the learning contents of different areas of PGE lessons should be enriched. Schools may also review and consolidate subject-related or cross-curricula teaching contents and activities to cover the learning elements of “Life Planning Education for Primary Schools”. In terms of planning and coordination, schools may consider assigning teachers, student guidance personnel or middle managers tasked with planning and implementing PGE as coordinators to oversee the planning and implementation of “Life Planning Education for Primary Schools”.
8. To support the timely implementation of “Life Planning Education in Primary Schools”, on top of the “Framework of Implementation Strategies on Life Planning Education for Primary Schools”, we have complied related teaching resources, now available on the EDB’s thematic website on “Life Planning Education for Primary Schools”, for school personnel’s reference.
9. Schools may give parents an overview of LPE through meetings of Parent- Teacher Association, circulars to parents and parent education activities, etc. As for parents, they are encouraged to visit the EDB’s Life Planning Information website (https://lifeplanning.edb.gov.hk/en/index.html) and participate in career exploration activities via the EDB’s Business-School Partnership Programme (https://careerguidance.edb.hkedcity.net/en/home) in order to gain a deeper understanding of LPE.
Implementation Timetable
10. To implement school-based LPE, schools should, having regard to their school-based circumstances and needs, draw up specific details, implementation strategies and a timetable in accordance with the major learning elements and recommended implementation strategies specified in the Framework, and aim at implementing across all upper primary classes by the 2024/25 school year.
11. Schools should get prepared for the implementation of LPE in the 2021/22 school year. This includes nominating teachers or student guidance personnel to
4
attend relevant briefing session(s) and receive professional training in order to learn about the essence of LPE, explore how the learning contents of different areas under PGE could be enhanced on the existing basis according to the Framework, and proceed with trial teaching.
Briefing Sessions and Relevant Professional Training
12. The EDB will organise briefing sessions on “Life Planning Education for Primary Schools” and seminars on the subject for school personnel, details of which will be announced in due course. School personnel may check out the EDB’s Training Calendar (https://tcs.edb.gov.hk) for the latest information. Post-secondary education institutions will also be commissioned to organise professional training programmes for teachers or student guidance personnel.
Enquiries
13. For enquiries, please contact the Guidance and Discipline Section of the EDB.
District Telephone number
Hong Kong 2863 4618
Kowloon East 2863 4685
Kowloon West 2863 4791
New Territories East 2863 4686 New Territories West 2863 4689
(M K CHENG) for Secretary for Education
