Introduction

Basic Competencies

Basic Competencies are the essential knowledge and skills acquired by students in relation to the learning targets and objectives set out in the curriculum for each key stage. The Basic Competencies represent just part of the curriculum requirement.

Basic Competency Assessment

The Basic Competency Assessment has two components, namely, the Student Assessment and the System Assessment (the latter renamed as the Territory-wide System Assessment). They cover the three subjects of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics.

“Student Assessment”

The Student Assessment is a resource bank provided through the Internet. It is not compulsory. It is provided to assist teachers in developing and selecting the appropriate assessment tasks for their students. If applied at the right time, the Student Assessment could help diagnose the strengths and weaknesses of students at Primary One to Secondary Three, for improving learning and teaching. Schools must have in mind the specific learning needs of students and the teaching progress, apply multiple modes of school internal assessments so as to effectively and fully understand the needs and progress of students. Students in need of assistance should be identified early and be given appropriate support.

The original design of the Student Assessment only covers the Basic Competencies. However, in order to facilitate teachers in meeting diverse learning needs of students, we are now expanding the Student Assessment service into an Assessment for Learning Resource Bank. The Resource Bank would cover more curriculum topics and the related competencies required under the curriculum. Supportive learning and teaching materials would also be provided.

The Student Assessment has been introduced to all primary and secondary schools since mid 2003 and the service that covers Key Stages One, Two and Three is in full operation.

“System Assessment”

The Territory-wide System Assessment is an assessment administered at the territory level by the Government. It is mainly conducted on paper-and-pen mode and there is also an oral assessment component for the two languages. The System Assessment is only administered at the three levels of Primary Three, Primary Six and Secondary Three. The System Assessment was first introduced in 2006. It is now in full operation.

The System Assessment is lowstake in nature . It is to provide feedback to schools about their standards in the three subjects of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics, so that schools could draw up plans to increase effectiveness in learning and teaching. The territory-wide data also help the Government to review policies and to provide focused support to schools.