e-Bulletin for Parents - 28 May 2021

Smart Use of Quality Learning Materials

During summer vacation, parents will accompany their children to purchase textbooks and related learning materials listed on school textbook lists for the next school year. Many parents may also buy additional learning materials for their children. As parents are now very concerned about the content and quality of textbooks and learning materials, how do they know whether the textbooks used by their children and even the learning materials they choose are of good quality? Where can they find quality and free learning materials?

Textbooks are important learning materials for students. The Education Bureau (EDB) has put in place a rigorous textbook review mechanism to ensure that the textbooks included on the Recommended Textbook List for schools’ reference in the selection of textbooks are in line with the aims and objectives of the curriculum, accurate in content, of good quality and fit for students’ learning. The EDB also develops continuously a variety of learning resources in accordance with the curriculum, for example, the Educational MultiMedia (https://emm.edcity.hk), which provides students with different types of free learning resources, including short videos, animations, e-books, etc., to further enhance students’ learning effectiveness and promote their self-directed learning.

The EDB has kept reminding schools, through various channels such as curriculum guides, circular memorandum and teacher training activities, that the textbooks and teaching materials that they select to use should be in line with the aims and objectives of the school curriculum. The content and information provided in the materials should be correct, complete, objective and impartial, with emphasis on nurturing students’ positive values, attitudes and behaviour. Parents can also make reference to these principles when choosing learning materials for their children. In fact, the quality of learning materials on the market varies considerably, especially mechanical drills or exercises for examination practices. Such exercises should not be used as they are neither appropriate nor guaranteed in quality, and they may even diminish students’ learning interest. In addition, parents should carefully select suitable after-school reading materials for children and youngsters, and avoid selecting books and readers with biased content to protect their children against the negative influence of objectionable publications.

The EDB expects schools and parents can work together with us to select quality learning materials for students so that the next generation can learn effectively in a healthy and positive environment.

Curriculum Development Institute

Education Bureau