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The Education Bureau today said Hong Kong students’ results in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 were steady, with overall scores surpassing international averages.   Conducted in three-year cycles, PISA is organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development and assesses 15-year-old students’ mathematical, scientific and mother-tongue reading literacy.   A total of 81 countries or economies participated in the PISA held last year. In Hong Kong, a total of 5,907 students from 163 secondary schools participated in the study.   The bureau said the purpose of PISA is to assess whether students have acquired the knowledge and skills essential for meeting the demands of their future lives, rather than evaluating their performance in specific school curricula.   The bureau also highlighted that it had participated in the exercise despite the main assessment being conducted at a time when Hong Kong had just gone through the fif

The Government today announced that heartfelt touches will be added to polling day arrangements for the District Council (DC) election, including the presentation of “thank you” cards to voters after they cast their votes.   A card has been designed by civil servants and produced by the Government Logistics Department using environmentally friendly paper. Scenic spots and landmark sights in different districts all feature together beneath the Lion Rock, reflecting the idea that all districts in Hong Kong are joining hands to build a better community.   “Check-in” spots, in the form of foam boards designed for members of the public to photograph themselves in front of, will also be placed next to polling stations. The boards will consist of the Ballot Box Family election mascots: Blue Ballot, Red Ballot and Grandpa Ballot.   Meanwhile, a television station has released a song, “Build a Better Community Beneath the Lion Rock”, for the DC election.   The theme originates f

The Government announced today that it will organise a large-scale outdoor concert, Build a Better Community gala, at the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD)’s Wonderland between 7pm and 10pm on December 9.   The concert aims to further promote the benefits brought by the improved district governance system and the reformed District Councils, as well as the importance of active participation in the District Council Election for building a better community.   The gala will be broadcast live jointly by Television Broadcasts, ViuTV, HOY TV, Phoenix Satellite Television, Radio Television Hong Kong, Metro Broadcast and Commercial Radio.   At the same time, satellite sites will be set up at HarbourChill in Wan Chai and the Amphitheatre at Sha Tin Park. In addition to telecasting the programme from the gala in West Kowloon, there will also be live performances and game booths for public enjoyment.   The Home Affairs Department will distribute a total of about 4,000 free tick

Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) Chairman David Lok visited a mock polling station at North Point Community Hall today, ahead of the 2023 District Council Ordinary Election, which will be held on December 10.   Mr Lok reminded electors to bring their identity document to the designated polling station specified on their polling card, and to follow proper voting procedures.   Electors who have yet to receive their polling card can log in to the Online Voter Information Enquiry System to check their elector status and polling information. They may also call 2891 1001 for enquiries.   Mr Lok said preparatory work for the election has reached the final stage, adding that the EAC and the Registration & Electoral Office are making a final sprint to ensure a smooth polling and counting process. He chaired the Crisis Management Committee's first meeting this afternoon to consider different circumstances that may arise during the election and ensure its smooth running. 

With the aim of combatting the fear and misconceptions surrounding mental illness, Castle Peak Hospital’s Mind Space museum enables visitors to experience hallucinations, similar to the sensory experiences mentally ill patients encounter, by way of rooms that utilise virtual reality (VR) technology.   A group of secondary students recently embarked on a journey through Mind Space after registering and receiving patient wristbands. This unique mental health experience museum provided them with a comprehensive understanding of the development of psychiatric services in Hong Kong.   Displays in the museum showcase intriguing relics, including the evolution of restraints and handwritten patient records. Additionally, the students were given the opportunity to explore a mock protection room designed to provide a calming environment for patients.   Furthermore, students could learn about the scientific aspects behind the causes of mental illness at the Brain Tour zone. One of the

The Court of First Instance dismissed the judicial review application on the legality of the District Council election on December 1, holding that the three District Committees’ nomination requirement is consistent with the Basic Law.   In a statement, the Government said the court accepted its viewpoints, including confirming that members of the three District Committees come from various walks of life in society and are important stakeholders of district affairs, and that there are no other entities or individuals which are more suitable than the members of three District Committees to exercise the nomination rights.   The court expressly accepted the legitimate aims of the three District Committees’ nomination requirement, namely to fully implement the guiding principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" in the system; to ensure the candidates are recognised by people conversant with district affairs and the relevant district electors; and to enhance stability acros