Quality Education Fund Thematic Networks - Tertiary Institutes (QTN-T)

To support the learning and teaching of Chinese in kindergartens and primary schools and facilitate smooth kindergarten-primary transition; encourage schools to promote the latest curriculum initiatives, such as promoting Chinese culture, cultivating priority values and attitudes, and implement and consolidate various teaching strategies; To enhance the effectiveness of curriculum leadership in schools and promote collaboration and reflection among the teaching team.

To provide additional support options for schools admitting NCS students. In addition to participating in general school-based support, schools will also receive effective support for teaching Chinese as a second language to enhance their diverse teaching capabilities; To equip teachers with theoretical knowledge of teaching Chinese as a second language, and employ “W.I.S.E.,” a writing teaching method with artificial intelligence (AI) developed by the University of Hong Kong, to combine writing and reading for taking care of learning diversity, so as to enhance the Chinese language proficiency of primary and secondary NCS students; To train curriculum leaders to optimise and integrate school curriculum, and promote the sustainable development of the school; To develop teaching exemplars based on different theoretical foundations and research data, and promote relevant knowledge and experience, maximising teachers’ capabilities and influence; To assist schools to systematically design school-based support measures to enable a smooth transition from primary to secondary school among students in both academic and affective aspects; To gather the strength of teachers, and develop innovative learning strategies with the principles of education and the values of Chinese traditional culture.

To provide school-based professional support services for kindergartens and kindergarten-cum-childcare centers to enhance the educational effectiveness for kindergarten students, including non-Chinese speaking (NCS) children.

The project aims to provide professional support to the kindergarten sector for strengthening their curriculum leadership and development, and enhancing teachers’ professional capacity for designing and implementing school curriculum to promote learning through play and foster whole-person development of children.

To enhance teachers’ understanding of mental health (including mental health problems induced by being frequently exposed to stressful events, such as acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder) and skills in addressing students’ stress-induced emotional and behavioural problems; To promote a positive mental health culture in primary and secondary schools by enhancing the wellness of mind and body and increasing capacity to address mental health concerns; To cultivate a friendly environment by promoting mental health awareness in primary and secondary schools; To enhance students’ understanding of mental wellness and illness, skills to cope with stress and emotions, and empathy towards people with mental illness (in particular psychosis).