A supplementary textbook on the amended National Security Law will be released next year, Wong Kin Mou, chief of the Education and Youth Development Bureau’s (DSEDJ) Research and Educational Planning Department, said yesterday, pointing out that the four-chapter textbook about the revised National Security Law would be issued to kindergartens, primary and secondary schools as well as tertiary education institutions.
Wong stated that the supplementary textbook to be published by the bureau mostly involves subjects or fields that are not included in books currently available. However, he stressed that schools could always make their own choices on what books they use. He also said the bureau hoped that through the supplementary textbook, students could gain a better understanding of national security.
Wong made the remarks during a press briefing about a closed-door regular joint meeting of the government-appointed Education Committee and the Youth Affairs Committee at Macau Science Centre in Nape.
The government announced last week that it will submit its national security law amendment bill to the legislature soon for debate, review and vote.
According to Wong, aiming to bring together cross-school teaching teams in non-tertiary education for a professional dialogue, sharing of teaching experiences and improving teaching, the bureau has launched a pilot plan titled “cross-school teaching and research”, which has been in operation for “about eight to nine months”, covering the subjects of Chinese, English, History and Information Technology.
Wong noted that the first review of the pilot plan has been completed recently and the first phase was expected to be completed next year. After that, Wong added, a decision will be made on whether to add more subjects or expand the pilot plan to different levels of education depending on the situation.
In order to cultivate scientific and creative talents, the bureau will launch a training programme titled “Youth Science and Technology Village” next year for non-tertiary education students.
According to the press briefing, the bureau will strengthen cooperation among various government entities, schools and civil society organisations to foster patriotism, based on the principle of “Loving the Motherland, Loving Macau”, among youngsters and their understanding of Chinese culture, history and tradition. The press briefing noted that the “Loving the Country, Loving Macau Education Base for Young People” will launch an exhibition themed on Lingnan (southern Chinese) culture next year, while a comprehensive experience education camp for junior high school students combining the elements of “Loving the Motherland, Loving Macau” with popular science education will also get underway next year.
The press briefing was also attended by DSEDJ Non-Tertiary Education Department Chief Luís Gomes, Higher Education Department Chief Carlos Roberto Xavier, and Youth Department Chief Cheong Man Fai.
The Education and Youth Development Bureau’s (DSEDJ) Youth Department Chief Cheong Man Fai (from left to right), Higher Education Department Chief Carlos Roberto Xavier, Research and Educational Planning Department Chief Wong Kin Mou, and Non-Tertiary Education Department Chief Luís Gomes look on during yesterday’s press briefing about a closed-door regular joint meeting of the government-appointed Education Committee and the Youth Affairs Committee at the Macau Science Centre in Nape.
– Photo: Yuki Lei
