Dr. Choi Yuk-lin Highlights Hong Kong's Education Achievements at 2025 Education World Forum in London

SED shares Hong Kong's experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, attended the Education World Forum (EWF) 2025 in London, the United Kingdom (UK), on May 19 (London time). Under the five key themes this year, namely Stability, Equity, Quality, Innovation and Growth, Dr Choi shared Hong Kong's practical experience with education ministers and senior officials from various countries and regions.

The EWF is the largest gathering of education and skills ministers in the world, providing an excellent platform for discussing education policies and strengthening education ties. This year, the forum focused on the development of inclusive education systems that drive equitable and sustainable socio-economic growth. In her keynote speech titled "How and why should education systems improve equity and increase quality?", Dr Choi introduced Hong Kong's policy measures and achievements in providing quality and equitable education.

Dr Choi said that, in achieving quality education, Hong Kong has been participating in various international assessments to understand more about the capabilities of Hong Kong students and the key factors that shape their learning effectiveness. Hong Kong students' overall performance in both the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) exceeding the international average is a testament to the brilliance of students, the teaching effectiveness of schools and teachers, and the strengths of Hong Kong's education system.

The Education Bureau (EDB) attaches great importance to teachers' continuing professional development. To enhance teachers' professional competencies, the EDB has been providing diversified training programmes, organising teacher professional development programmes in collaboration with local, Mainland and overseas universities, and offering scholarships to encourage teachers to participate in overseas exchanges and training activities.

In terms of education equity, PISA results showed that the family background and socio-economic status of Hong Kong students had a relatively small impact on their performance, reflecting that Hong Kong's education system enables equal education opportunities. To ensure that every student has access to quality education, the EDB has developed a broad and balanced 15-year school curriculum framework, engages students in a diverse range of life-wide learning activities, and offers various programmes to support e-learning. The EDB has also been providing non-Chinese speaking students with all-encompassing learning support and implementing the Whole School Approach to Integrated Education.

Apart from delivering the keynote speech, Dr Choi also met several education officials of the UK, including the Secretary of State for Education of the UK, Ms Bridget Phillipson; the Minister of State (Minister for School Standards) at the Department for Educationof the UK, Ms Catherine McKinnell; and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Children and Families) at the Department for Education of the UK, Ms Janet Daby, to discuss the strengthening of education collaboration between the two places.

In addition, Dr Choi met with education officials from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka attending the forum to explore room for education collaboration between Hong Kong and Belt and Road countries. Dr Choi also met with an official of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan to discuss the strengthening of education co-operation.

Dr Choi then visited Imperial College London to learn about its experience in the promotion of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education in secondary and primary schools, as well as the preparation of the relevant teaching materials for schools. In addition, Dr Choi paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Mr Zheng Zeguang, to introduce the latest education developments in Hong Kong.

On May 20 (London time), Dr Choi will meet with local education officials to discuss enhancing higher education collaboration between the UK and Hong Kong. She will also exchange views with representatives of several UK universities and share Hong Kong's latest developments in building into an international education hub.

Dr Choi will conclude her visit on the same day and return to Hong Kong.

SED shares Hong Kong's experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED shares Hong Kong's experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED shares Hong Kong's experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED shares Hong Kong's experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED shares Hong Kong's experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED shares Hong Kong's experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED shares Hong Kong's experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED shares Hong Kong's experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED shares Hong Kong's experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED shares Hong Kong's experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED shares Hong Kong's experience in achieving quality and equity in education at Education World Forum 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Source: AI-found images