Hong Kong's Education Bureau released a new digital education blueprint on Wednesday that proposes an AI literacy learning framework and mandatory teacher training to curb students' over-reliance on artificial intelligence. Curriculum Development Council member Ray Cheung Chak-chung said the blueprint aims to standardize fragmented school-based teaching and strengthen critical thinking across primary and secondary schools.
Speaking on a radio program Thursday, Cheung said local schools currently develop their digital and AI curricula independently. "There are varying standards across the sector," he said, adding that the blueprint would give schools a clearer, more cohesive direction. The council compiled the Blueprint for Digital Education Development in Primary and Secondary Schools, which the bureau published this week.
Building an AI literacy foundation
The blueprint proposes an AI literacy learning framework to systematically nurture students' knowledge, skills, and ethical values around digital technology. Cheung stressed that upper primary and junior secondary students should be trained to question online information and identify misinformation. Schools should also adopt a "tech-for-good" and "human-centric" learning model to foster moral values, he said.
Mandatory training and a push for consistency
Starting from the next school year, schools must incorporate digital education into their development plans. Teachers will be required to complete at least 30 hours of digital education training every three years. Cheung acknowledged that the number of hours "may not be sufficient," but said a structured, tiered approach through regular government training would help steadily improve teachers' skills.
Lai Chun-wing, an executive committee member of Education Convergence and principal of HKTA The Yuen Yuen Institute No.3 Secondary School, said schools can refine their existing AI education schemes under the new framework. That would narrow development gaps among schools and teachers, he said. However, he acknowledged that compulsory training may add to teachers' workload.
Lai said, "Integrating AI into teaching is an inevitable trend and students need proper guidance from educators to use artificial intelligence responsibly." He called on authorities to adjust other requirements to give schools sufficient time for teacher development and suggested launching a dedicated platform for educators from different schools to share practical experience in AI teaching.
Why this matters for educators
For education professionals in Hong Kong, the blueprint signals a shift from voluntary AI exploration to a structured, system-wide approach with concrete training obligations. The 30-hour requirement every three years will directly shape professional development planning, while the AI literacy framework will influence curriculum design. Educators should watch how schools balance the mandatory training with existing workloads and whether the proposed sharing platform materializes to ease the transition.
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