EDB holds Parent-Child FUNtastic Free Verse Challenge Final cum Prize Presentation Ceremony
The Education Bureau (EDB) organised the Family Resilience Series: Parent-Child FUNtastic Free Verse Challenge Final cum Prize Presentation Ceremony under the Positive Parent Campaign today (January 24). About 300 school representatives, parents, students, and members of the public attended the event, creating a fun-filled atmosphere.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, said that the EDB launched the Positive Parent Campaign in 2020 to promote to parents and the public the proper ways and attitudes of nurturing children through organising various activities. The theme of the Positive Parent Campaign this year is "Family Resilience", with the aims to remind parents of the importance of companionship and role modelling, encourage them to listen patiently to their children's needs with acceptance and openness, guide them in analysing problems, and thereby nurture the confidence and resilience their children need to face the future.
He noted that the competition had received an enthusiastic response, with over 1 200 entries submitted across four groups: kindergarten, primary, secondary and open groups. Through crafting free verses, parents and students shared messages about facing challenges positively, building resilience, and promoting mental well-being in a light-hearted and lively manner.
Earlier, the adjudication panel selected20 outstanding entriesfrom each group for public voting of The Most Liked Award, which recorded a total ofover 10 000 votesacross all four groups. All entries shortlisted for the finals were outstanding works filled with wisdom for everyday living and insight. Following the live performance of their free verse poems by the finalists, the adjudication panel selected the winners of each group on the spot. The results and awards were announced and presented at the ceremony this afternoon.
The EDB aims to enhance the understanding of the Positive Parent Campaign among students, parents, and members of the public through activities under the Family Resilience Series and to promote the physical and mental health of parents and children, aligning with the 4Rs Mental Health Charter, to enhance students' sense of well-being and resilience, thereby enhancing the overall culture of health in schools.
For updates on the Positive Parent Campaign, please visit the Smart Parent Net website (www.parent.edu.hk/en).
EDB holds Parent-Child FUNtastic Free Verse Challenge Final cum Prize Presentation Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
EDB holds Parent-Child FUNtastic Free Verse Challenge Final cum Prize Presentation Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
EDB holds Parent-Child FUNtastic Free Verse Challenge Final cum Prize Presentation Ceremony Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CHP urges public to promptly receive seasonal influenza vaccination as severe paediatric influenza infection case reported
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 15) recorded a severe paediatric influenza infection case, the fifth case this year. The CHP reiterated its reminder to parents to arrange for their children to receive a free seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) promptly. The SIV remains one of the most effective methods of preventing influenza and its complications and can reduce the risk of serious complications or death from infection.
The case involves a 15-year-old boy with underlying diseases. On February 12, he developed a fever. He was sent to theAccident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre the following day (February 13) due to persistent fever and was admitted on the same day. He subsequently developed desaturation and shock, and was transferred to the paediatric intensive care unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for further treatment today because of worsening conditions. His respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis is influenza A infection complicated with pneumonia and heart failure. He is currently in serious condition.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the boy has not yet received the 2025/26 SIV. He is a resident of a special school. A recent influenza outbreak was recorded in his school dormitory. The CHP staff has conducted site visit and advised the school to strengthen a series of infection control measures. Chemoprophylaxis against influenza was given to unaffected students and staff. The boy's family members are asymptomatic. The CHP's investigation is ongoing.
So far this year, five severe paediatric influenza cases have been recorded, involving children aged between 6 months and 15 years old. Three of the affected children had not received an SIV, including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only three days before the onset of illness. As the patient was not protected by the vaccine, the case is not counted as being vaccinated. During the summer influenza season ending in early January, 25 severe paediatric influenza cases were recorded, including three fatal cases and involving children aged between 6 months to 17 years old. Among them, 20 cases (80 per cent) had not received an SIV (including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only four days before the onset of illness).
"Although the influenza activity in Hong Kong is currently at a low, influenza activity still remains at a relatively high level in many popular travel destinations for Hong Kong citizens, such as some areas in North America and Europe. Moreover, the overall influenza activity has increased again in Korea and Japan recently, with the major circulating virus strain having changed from the earlier influenza A (H3) to influenza B. With the increase in cross-border travel and the number of incoming visitors in the Chinese New Year, the risk of influenza transmission will also increase. Moreover, based on past experience, Hong Kong's winter influenza season typically occurs in the first quarter. With the persistent cold weather and the possibility of a change in circulating virus strains, it cannot be ruled out that the influenza activity will increase again later. Receiving SIV is still one of the most effective ways to prevent seasonal influenza and its complications. Vaccination also reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death from infection. The public should receive vaccination as soon as possible regardless of staying locally or planning to travel abroad, as it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body for sufficient protection against the influenza virus. All individuals aged 6 months or older, except those with known contraindications, should act promptly if they have not yet received an SIV, including those who contracted influenza in the past few months, in order to safeguard personal health," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
"Recently, outbreaks of influenza continue to occur in schools. For children who did not join the SIV School Outreach Programme, parents should promptly bring their children toprivate doctorsenrolled in the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme to receive an SIV. In addition, the SIV coverage rate for children aged 6 months to under 2 years is only about 25 per cent. Although this represents an approximate 2 percentage point increase compared to the same period last year, it is still much lower than that of other age groups. Through the Primary Healthcare Commission, the CHP has urged family doctors to assist in encouraging parents to allow their children to receive an SIV," Dr Tsui added.
He also reminded members of the public that, especially for children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, they should seek medical advice promptly for early treatment if they present with fever and respiratory symptoms. As children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly, parents must pay close attention to their children's condition. They should go to an Accident and Emergency Department immediately if the child's condition deteriorates, for example, if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions.
Separately, high-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when staying in crowded places. People with respiratory symptoms, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly. They should also consider whether to attend work or school.
Members of the public may refer to the CHP'sCOVID-19 & Flu Express,Seasonal Influenza Webpage,COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Webpage, andVaccination Schemes Webpage, for the latest information.
Source: AI-found images
