Hong Kong’s Education Bureau has unveiled a draft scheme that would require teachers in publicly‑funded, private, international schools and kindergartens to obtain a practising certificate and renew it every three years.
Key features of the proposed regime
Under the draft, teachers must complete a minimum of 150 hours of training before each renewal and sign a declaration that they will obey Hong Kong law, including the national security legislation. Those returning after a leave of absence need at least 60 hours of training. Short‑term supply teachers working no more than 30 days in a 12‑month period are exempt.
Education Secretary Christine Choi told reporters that the government aims to amend the Education Ordinance this year so the new certification can be introduced in 2027, with a transition period that “tolerates” unlicensed teachers for the 2027/28 academic year and full enforcement from the 2028/29 academic year.[source].
‘Fit and proper persons’ requirement
The Education Bureau says the policy is intended “to ensure that all school teachers in Hong Kong are fit and proper persons, thus upholding professionalism of the teaching force.”[LegCo paper] To qualify, applicants must declare any criminal convictions in the past three years and affirm their willingness to uphold professional standards.[LegCo paper] They must also “ordinarily reside” in Hong Kong; non‑local teachers will need to be employed by a school and pledge ordinary residence for the next 12 months.
Implications for schools and teachers
Once fully implemented, schools will be prohibited from hiring teachers without a practising certificate. This applies across the full spectrum of institutions, from public schools to private international schools and early‑year kindergartens.
The move follows years of heightened scrutiny of the teaching profession after the 2019 protests and the 2020 national security law. Since 2022, civil‑servant teachers in public schools have been required to swear allegiance to the city and obey the Basic Law, while private and international school staff have remained exempt.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the new teacher certification be introduced?
The Education Bureau plans to amend the Education Ordinance this year so the certification can be launched in 2027, with full enforcement beginning in the 2028/29 academic year.
Which teachers are required to obtain the practising certificate?
All teachers employed by publicly‑funded schools, private schools, international schools and kindergartens must obtain the certificate. Supply teachers working 30 days or fewer in a 12‑month period are exempt.
What training is required for certificate renewal?
In‑service teachers must complete at least 150 hours of training before each three‑year renewal. Teachers returning after a leave of absence need a minimum of 60 hours of training. Short‑term supply teachers are not subject to the training requirement.
How might these changes affect the future of teaching in Hong Kong?
