A Day With Ministers To Inspire Young Minds

To help students "realise their potential" and "seize opportunities for upward mobility", the government unveiled a new programme on Monday: "Be a Government Official for a Day".

The chosen lucky ones will get to spend a day with ministers such as the SAR's legal chief Teresa Cheng, finance head Paul Chan or policy mastermind Matthew Cheung.

Launching the programme, the administration said the students chosen for the job shadowing experience will be inspired to "develop positive values and adopt multi-perspective thinking".

The programme, under the Commission on Poverty's "Life Buddies" Mentoring Scheme, aims to give students a better understanding of the work of top officials, including the three secretaries and 13 bureau directors.

Officials said the likes of home affairs chief Lau Kong-wah, education chief Kevin Yeung, and housing minister Frank Chan will share stories of their careers with their shadow ministers for the day, giving them a sense of their perseverance and determination, and encouraging their young proteges to aim high in life.

Before the successful candidates are thrown in at the deep end, they will be briefed by a non-governmental organisation on what is expected of them. After the students enjoy their taste of power, they will be given a "debriefing" by the NGO.

Form four and five students with school recommendations have until May 11 to apply for the job shadowing programme, which will take place in July.