Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) Director Lou Pak Sang told The Macau Post Daily earlier this month that in September his bureau will launch a system that encourages schools to focus on formative assessment rather than summative assessment.
Lou said that in the 2021/2022 school year, new systems will be implemented such as regulations for non-tertiary private institutes, the special needs education system and the “Student Assessment System for Formal Education of the Local Education System”.
Lou said he hoped that the aim of implementing regulations for non-tertiary private institutions is to lay out a concrete guideline for the operation, management and other aspects of in-class teaching. He also said that he hoped that the special needs education system can help students with disabilities more effectively.
Lou also said that schools should evaluate their students’ performances by combining the use of formative assessments – assessments that are constantly being carried out throughout a course – and summative assessments – namely tests and final examinations.
Moreover, Lou also said that by implementing diversified assessment, he hoped it could develop students’ multiple competencies. He said that the new assessment system will test students’ abilities through their speaking skills, performance, portfolio, written tests, and ability to handle electronics. Lou said that students will get assistance according to their advantages and drawbacks by highlighting their talents.
Meanwhile, when asked about network communication between teachers and parents, Lou said that he was encouraging students’ parents to create a group chat so that when they encounter any questions regarding homework, they could ask other parents first. He also said that he wanted to set a time limit after which parents should not message or call teachers unless it’s an emergency.
“We are still asking for the public for their views regarding what time parents should stop messaging teachers. We also acknowledge that there are also teachers who do not provide enough support to their students. Therefore, we aim to strike a balance between overworking the teachers and not providing assistance at all.”
In terms of emergency situations, Lou said teachers should be reachable when students appear to be suicidal. He added that counselling should have no time limit, as lending an ear can save a life. He underlined that everyone is the “goalkeeper” of students’ lives in order to ensure that they have the support when they need it.
DSEDJ Director Lou Pak Sang talks to The Macau Post Daily reporters at the bureau earlier this month. Photo: Iong Tat Choi
This poster provided by DSEDJ promotes the upcoming “Student Assessment System for Formal Education of the Local Education System”.
