School study: Committee on Teachers' Work Chairman Professor Edmond Ko submits its final report on measures to relieve teacher workload to Secretary for Education & Manpower Professor Arthur Li.

The Committee on Teachers' Work has rolled out its final report on measures to relieve teacher workload.

Recommendations include conducting a school-based independent review, providing teachers with paid study leave, creating more permanent teaching posts and improving the teacher-to-student ratio.

Welcoming the report, Secretary for Education & Manpower Professor Arthur Li said the recommendations will help the Government, the education sector and society strengthen their support for frontline teachers in doing a good job to nurture Hong Kong's next generation.

"We need time to look closely into the many recommendations put forward in this comprehensive report and shall come up with a more substantive response later on," Professor Li said.

Stress sources

Committee Chairman Edmond Ko said frontline teachers are willing to deal with the work and manage the stress incurred as long as it is related to students' learning and development.

"Teachers' stress usually comes from a variety of sources, including a heavy workload, the heightened expectation of various stakeholders for education, and the uncertainty arising from declining birth rates," Professor Ko said.

"Teachers are generally supportive of education reforms which they agree can enhance education quality and benefit students. However, the reforms have inevitably brought about new tasks and challenges and thus teachers need time, training and appropriate support to put them in place. In this connection, we have made a series of recommendations to match the needs at different levels."

School-based reviews

The committee recommended that school leaders continue to prioritise their tasks and use of resources in flexible ways, such as employing teaching assistants and staff to reduce administrative work. This can allow teachers to focus on teaching.

Schools, if necessary, can apply for funds to conduct a school-based independent review and identify the best methods to avoid excessive administrative and paper work.

At the teacher level, the committee said a healthy and harmonious working environment is of paramount importance to teachers. Schools can utilise community services, such as voluntary social services, medical consultancy services, and counselling services, to promote a healthy campus.

Paid study leave

The Government can offer teachers paid study leave, giving them time and space to reap the full benefits of training. Subject to the availability of resources, it can also consider creating more permanent teaching posts and improve the teacher-to-student ratio.

As teachers generally accept a reduced teaching load, schools should exercise discretion in this area and flexibly adopt suitable class sizes to achieve the best teaching and learning outcomes.

In the past year, the committee reviewed more than 20 local and international studies on teacher work, visited 14 schools of various types, exchanged views with an advisory group formed by members of education bodies, and teacher education institutions, school councils and school sponsoring bodies.

Solid basis

A consultancy firm was commissioned to conduct surveys and case studies of on 7,000 teachers. These formed a solid basis for the committee to make an analysis and form recommendations from an independent and impartial perspective.

Professor Ko hopes the authorities, based on the recommendations, can continue to formulate and implement support measures together with members of the education sector.

The final report will be available on the Education & Manpower Bureau's website.