The Hong Kong and Macau session of “The Ministry of Education National Lecture Tour on the Spirit of Educators” was held today, with more than 300 principals and teachers from the two places participating in the event.

Themed “strengthening the teaching force with the spirit of educators, composing a glorious chapter in building a leading country in education”, the session involved representatives from different provinces and cities on the Mainland, and a teacher from Hong Kong, sharing their insights on the nurturing of students.

The event’s opening ceremony was jointly hosted by Director General of the Ministry of Education Department of Teacher Education Yu Weiyue; Director of the State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Bureau IV Chen Wei; Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific & Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Wang Weiming; Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin; and Macau Education & Youth Development Bureau Deputy Director Iun Pui Iun.

Ms Choi highlighted that President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the development of the teaching profession and has spoken of the unique spirit of Chinese educators. She mentioned that the 2024-2035 masterplan for building China into a leading country in education involves implementing a “Strengthening the Teaching Force with the Spirit of Educators” campaign.

Imbuing the teaching profession with this spirit is a vital task in building the nation into a leading country in education, and is also essential to achieving Chinese modernisation and national rejuvenation, Ms Choi added.

She remarked that in Hong Kong, the Education Bureau is aligned with national efforts to strengthen the teaching profession and committed to building a high-quality teaching force.

The education chief said this will be achieved by fostering a culture of respect for teachers and love for students, commending excellent teachers, and continuously optimising and commencing teacher training and exchange programmes.

These efforts broaden professional horizons, enhance innovative teaching capabilities, and provide robust support for teachers and principals to advance their expertise, she elaborated.

She also outlined that the Education Bureau is committed to enhancing mechanisms for upholding teachers’ professional conduct, encouraging teachers to integrate their pursuit of educational professionalism with personal integrity, and strengthening the cultivation of ethical conduct and a professional ethos within the teaching profession.