LCSD's new measures to combat touting activities to take effect from July 7
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) reminds SmartPLAY users that with effect from next Tuesday (July 7), they can log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app via "iAM Smart" from 7am each day and enjoy priority bookings of facilities available within seven days. This new measure leverages the authentication function of "iAM Smart" to strengthen the verification of the identity of leisure and sports facilities/venues hirers, further combating the unauthorised transfer of bookings of these facilities/venues (commonly referred to as touting activities). As "iAM Smart" is for use by persons aged 11 or above, the SmartPLAY mobile app will remain accessible for users aged under 11 to make bookings from 7am each day.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Photo source: reference image
SmartPLAY users not intending to use "iAM Smart" can continue to log into the My SmartPLAY mobile app, the official SmartPLAY website, smart self-service stations or service counters at various leisure venues to make bookings from 7.15am each day.
The LCSD strongly encourages SmartPLAY users aged 11 or above to register as "iAM Smart" users for making priority bookings of leisure and sports facilities/venues from 7am each day. Members of the public who wish to register as "iAM Smart" users, or understand the procedures of identity authentication of SmartPLAY users via "iAM Smart", may refer to the Annex.
The LCSD once again reminds SmartPLAY users not to permit any third party to use their "iAM Smart" accounts, and not to provide their account information to touts for making bookings. Any users who have ever used touting services or provided their account information to others should change their passwords as soon as possible. The LCSD will continue to strictly enforce the Conditions of Use of SmartPLAY. For any users who breach the conditions concerned by using computer programmes or automated tools to make bookings or interfere with the normal operation of the system, regardless of whether they have logged into the SmartPLAY system via "iAM Smart" and whether any booking or transaction has been made, the LCSD will suspend their accounts for 360 days without any prior notice.
SmartPLAY
CE commends teachers for teaching excellence
The following is issued on behalf of the Chief Executive's Award for Teaching Excellence Steering Committee:
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (July 3) officiated and presented the Award for Teaching Excellence to eight teachers, the Award for Budding Teachers to two teachers, and the Award for Education Innovation to one teacher at the Award Presentation Ceremony of the Chief Executive's Award for Teaching Excellence (CEATE) (2025/2026), while six teachers received the Certificate of Merit from the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the CEATE Steering Committee, Mr Dieter Yih, commended the awarded teachers, who not only adopted a student-centred approach by employing diversified learning and teaching methods and strategies, creating real-life learning contexts to effectively cater for students' diverse learning needs and enhance their learning motivation and effectiveness, but also actively made good use of digital tools to deepen students' learning experiences, cultivate their higher-order thinking, and guide them to care for the community while broadening their global outlook. He further encouraged the awarded teachers to continue striving for excellence, promote a culture of pursuing excellence in schools, and work together to nurture students to become future pillars of society who possess both virtue and talent, with a sense of national identity and a global vision.
Approximately 200 nominations were received from secondary schools, primary schools, kindergartens and special schools for the CEATE (2025/2026). After assessment, two nominations (comprising eight teachers) were presented with the Award for Teaching Excellence, along with two nominations (comprising six teachers) presented with the Certificate of Merit, two nominations (comprising two teachers) presented with the Award for Budding Teachers, and one nomination (comprising one teacher) presented with the Award for Education Innovation. Please visit the CEATE website (www.ate.gov.hk) for the list of the awarded teachers.
Other officiating guests at today's ceremony included the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms May Chan; the Chairperson of the Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals, Professor Tam Kar-yan; the Chairman of the Education Commission, Dr David Wong; the Chairperson of the Curriculum Development Council, Professor Isabella Poon; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, Professor Paul Lam; and the Chairman of the CEATE Assessment Working Group (2025/2026), Professor Lo Ming-tung.
Sharing activities involving the CEATE-awarded teachers are being rolled out gradually to disseminate excellent teaching practices. Details will be announced on the CEATE website and the Education Bureau's Training Calendar.
The CEATE (2026/2027) will cover three themes and two awards, namely "Arts Education Key Learning Area", "Technology Education Key Learning Area", "Special Educational Needs", the Award for Budding Teachers, and the Award for Education Innovation. Nominations will be accepted from July 6 to October 2. Relevant details will be available on the CEATE website from July 6.
Source: AI-found images
CE commends teachers for teaching excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE commends teachers for teaching excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE commends teachers for teaching excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CE commends teachers for teaching excellence Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
