Education Commission Chairman welcomes Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address
The following is issued on behalf of the Education Commission:
The Chairman of the Education Commission (EC), Dr David Wong, welcomed the strategic directions and major initiatives for education announced in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address (Policy Address) delivered today (September 16).
The Chairman of the Education Commission (EC), Dr David Wong, Photo source: reference image
The chapters regarding education in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan set out a clear blueprint for the city's future educational development, while the Policy Address puts forward the implementation of the key annual priorities and policy measures. The two closely related policy documents are in the same vein, closely aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, providing a complete strategic framework and deployment for Hong Kong's educational development. This comprehensive strategic layout is expected to create synergies, developing Hong Kong as an international hub for education and high-calibre talent, fostering mutual empowerment between innovation and technology and talent cultivation, further consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's position in the international education area, so as to better serve the country's endeavour to develop into a leading country in education.
Dr Wong said, "The construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town is a crucial layout for Hong Kong's long-term development in education. The EC supports expediting the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town, strategically positioning as an integrated hub for 'talent cultivation, scientific research, transformation of outcomes, and industrial development', pressing ahead with the synergistic development among the Government, industry, academia, research and investment sectors, in a bid to achieve the integrated development of education, technology and talent. Furthermore, the Government is gradually increasing the number of publicly funded research postgraduate places and the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme quotas, promoting the 'Study in Hong Kong' brand, as well as deepening international exchanges and co-operation, promoting collaboration between local post-secondary institutions and academic and research institutions in the Mainland and overseas, with a view to attracting more outstanding talent to further their studies and development in Hong Kong. The EC also supports the Government to continue advancing the development of universities of applied sciences, strengthening applied education and vocational and professional education, and cultivating more high-calibre and multi-skilled talent, so as to align with the needs of the high-quality development of Hong Kong and the country."
To equip students in the face of future challenges, Dr Wong said he was delighted to see the Government progressively pushing forward related work such as the orderly promotion of digital education in primary and secondary schools, as well as digitalisation in kindergarten education administration, including enhancing digital equipment and artificial intelligence tools in kindergartens, promoting technological ethnics and digital literacy to parents. Dr Wong said, "The heart of digital education lies in the cultivation of students' scientific spirit, digital literacy, problem-solving skills and creativity, enabling them to meet future social and industrial changes. The EC supports the Government to holistically enhance students' artificial intelligence literacy while strengthening teachers' professional capability, promoting the progressive integration of artificial intelligence into different key learning areas and cross-disciplinary domains, fostering cross-sector collaboration, forging a digital education ecosystem together."
Dr Wong added, "Cultivating values and nurturing people is the fundamental mission of education. The EC agrees with the Government on deepening patriotic education, national education, national security education and values education, and through updated curriculum framework, abundant learning and teaching resources, as well as teacher training programmes, nurturing a new generation with both virtue and ability, an affection for our country and Hong Kong, cultural confidence, proper values, and a global perspective.
"Education is the essential cornerstone for nurturing talent, and talent is the key to sharpening the competitive edge of Hong Kong. The EC will continue to render advice to the Government regarding the long-term direction and development of Hong Kong's education, work hand in hand with the Government and stakeholders across sectors, and commit fully in nurturing high-calibre talent with a global perspective, innovative mindsets and affection for our country and Hong Kong, with a view to advancing the higher-quality development of education and contributing to the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the country."
The Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address, Photo by Bastille Post
