Committee To Tell Govt To Keep BCA Tests: Sources

A committee reviewing much criticised assessments for primary three students is about to recommend that the tests go ahead as planned this year, RTHK has learnt.

But sources said the Coordinating Committee on Basic Competency Assessment and Assessment Literacy believes that lots should be drawn to decide which schools – or which students – should sit the BCAs, to discourage any drilling for the exams.

The BCA tests, to gauge standards in Chinese, English and Maths, weren't much liked when they were known as the Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA), and many parents, teachers and students are still concerned the exams put everyone involved under too much pressure.

But the committee believes the tests are neither too difficult nor too easy and that they are useful for policymaking, sources said.

The review panel is due to hold another meeting on Friday and members are then likely to put forward their idea of drawing lots to choose students at random to sit the tests. That, they are expected to say, should reduce the incentive for schools to drill students for the BCAs.

But it is thought the committee has not yet up come with numbers on how many schools or how many students should take part.

RTHK has also learnt that the committee will advise the Education Bureau not to give schools any feedback after the tests, but to continue to provide them with statistics on the overall performance across the territory.

Education Secretary Kevin Yeung has previously said that his bureau will make a final decision this month on whether the assessments should go ahead this year. It's thought that decision could come as soon as Friday.

If the BCAs are staying, they are due to be held in May and June.