Government Should Do More For Non-Chinese Students

Researchers from a local think tank say ethnic minority students face difficulties learning non-language subjects when they're taught in Chinese, and called on the Education Bureau to do more.

The Hong Kong Policy Research Institute surveyed around 200 non-Chinese speaking primary and secondary students from schools using Chinese as a medium of instruction last year.

The students were tested on their Chinese reading and writing skills in non-language subjects such as mathematics, music and liberal studies.

The Institute says they only managed an average score of 30 out of 100.

It said more than 60 percent of the students also said they couldn't effectively cope with non-language subjects in schools.

The lead researcher, Jacky Fung, says the study shows that ethnic minority pupils are not receiving enough support.

He said the Education Bureau should broaden its support for ethnic minority students in non-language subjects.