SED attends PISA Governing Board Meeting in Malta

Insider look: sed's impactful presence at pisa governing board meeting in malta

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Governing Board Meeting organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Malta from April 17 to 19 (Malta time) to discuss the current status of and future planning for PISA with representatives from other regions.

Dr Choi said that PISA provides invaluable science-based data for governments and educators to benchmark student performance against the international norm, analyse students' strengths and weaknesses, and focus on key factors that shape students' learning in order to develop more effective education measures.

She pointed out that Hong Kong students have consistently performed well in PISA, and results have shown that family background and socio-economic status have minimal bearing on their performance, reflecting the high quality and equity of the Hong Kong education system. She said she believes that PISA will continue to provide useful indicators for examining, assessing and monitoring education systems, and provide rich insights to inform learning and teaching.

On April 19 (Malta time), Dr Choi attended a forum on lifelong learning co-organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation of Malta. During the forum, she highlighted that the 15-year basic education in Hong Kong aims to nurture students' lifelong and self-directed learning capabilities and foster their whole-person development. The broad and balanced curriculum framework enables students to acquire diverse learning experiences in the domains of ethics, intellect, physique, social skills and aesthetics through various key learning areas and life-wide learning activities.

Dr Choi emphasised that students should be equipped with the 21st century competencies to cope with the changing future. She shared Hong Kong's efforts and good practices in promoting reading across the curriculum, values education and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education. These practices aim to nurture lifelong learners who possess a sense of social responsibility, an affection for their families and country and an international perspective, and will work together for the well-being of mankind.

On the same day, Dr Choi met the Principal of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, Professor James Calleja, to discuss how to promote developments in vocational and professional education and training to meet the needs of society.

On April 18 (Malta time), Dr Choi joined a meeting on education issues with education officials from other regions attending the PISA Governing Board Meeting. She also met representatives from the Confucius Institute of the University of Malta to learn about their experiences in promoting Chinese language and culture in Malta. In addition, she visited the University of Malta and met its leaders, and toured the Malta Visual and Performing Arts School.

On April 17 (Malta time), Dr Choi met the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Dr Clifton Grima, to exchange views on higher-education co-operation between Hong Kong and Malta. She also paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Malta, Mr Yu Dunhai, to brief him on the latest education developments in Hong Kong.

Dr Choi will depart for Frankfurt, Germany, on April 20 (Malta time) to continue her visit.

SED attends PISA Governing Board Meeting in Malta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends PISA Governing Board Meeting in Malta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends PISA Governing Board Meeting in Malta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends PISA Governing Board Meeting in Malta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends PISA Governing Board Meeting in Malta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends PISA Governing Board Meeting in Malta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends PISA Governing Board Meeting in Malta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends PISA Governing Board Meeting in Malta Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Cracking down on counterfeit goods: hong kong customs joins forces with mainland and macao customs

Hong Kong Customs conducted a three-week joint enforcement operation with the Mainland and Macao Customs from April 9 to 30, during which inspection of goods across the three places and destined for North America, Europe and Asia as well as other countries and regions was stepped up, with a view to combating cross-boundary counterfeiting activities among the three places with goods destined for overseas countries. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs detected 19 cases and seized about 56 000 items of suspected counterfeit goods with a total estimated market value of about $16.9 million.

Through intelligence analysis and in-depth investigations, Hong Kong Customs in the operation detected 15 cases at various local express couriers and logistics companies. Meanwhile, Customs officers inspected on April 15 and 16 two containers arriving in Hong Kong from Nansha, Guangdong, and containing suspected counterfeit goods at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal Customs Cargo Examination Compound, leading to the detection of two more cases.

Moreover, Customs detected two further cases by intercepting two incoming trucks on April 12 and 28 at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized batches of suspected counterfeit goods from the vehicles. Two male truck drivers, aged 49 and 55, were arrested. Investigations of the cases are ongoing. The two arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.

The suspected counterfeit goods seized by Hong Kong Customs in the operation included handbags, mobile phones and accessories, watches and footwear. The total estimated market value was about $16.9 million.

Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with the Mainland Customs, Macao Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to vigorously combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipment activities through intelligence exchanges and joint enforcement actions.

Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs teams up with Mainland and Macao Customs to combat cross-boundary counterfeit goods transshipment activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases