NSL, Basic Law Tests For New Teachers At More Schools

Teachers hoping to work at all government-funded schools and kindergartens will have to pass tests on the Basic Law and National Security Law from the next school year, with officials saying the move will help enlighten pupils on the SAR's constitutional order.

The requirement, which already applies to new teachers in public schools as well as civil servants, will take effect in the 71 schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme, as well as kindergartens covered by the kindergarten education scheme, from the 2023/24 school year, the Education Bureau said in a circular to schools.

"The Basic Law is closely related to our daily lives and has been a key element of the school curriculum, which shall be strengthened," an Education Bureau spokesman said.

“Teachers should have a correct understanding of the Basic Law so that they could enlighten students and help them correctly understand the constitutional status of Hong Kong and develop positive attitudes towards the Basic Law and 'one country, two systems'.”

Dion Chen, the chairman of the Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, said the move had been expected after it was rolled out at public schools.

"I think it is no harm for teachers to understand more about the Basic Law, the national security law and other related regulations," he told RTHK. "I think a test to ensure the teachers possess such information and knowledge is acceptable."

Teachers will have to correctly answer ten of the 20 questions on the multiple-choice paper to pass and five rounds of testing will take place during this school year, with the first test on December 3.

The bureau says teachers who had previously passed the test but who plan to change schools in the coming year will have to sit the exam. It will apply to teachers at all ranks, up to and including school principals, as well as those who are paid a cash grant.