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Back to School: Education Bureau Rolls Out 30th Return Anniversary Celebration Activities

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Back to School: Education Bureau Rolls Out 30th Return Anniversary Celebration Activities

Summary

The Education Bureau Chief Executive Rebecca Choi Yeuk-lin issued a back-to-school letter on August 31, 2025, marking the start of the new academic year. The letter emphasizes that Hong Kong will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its return to the motherland, and the Education Bureau has prepared a comprehensive series of celebration and educational activities for schools to participate in. The bureau encourages the education sector to leverage this milestone to deepen students' understanding of national development and Hong Kong's achievements under the "one country, two systems" framework, enhancing their national identity and ethnic pride.

Key Points

  • Choi highlights Dr. Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong's first homegrown astronaut who participated in the Shenzhou-23 mission, as an inspirational example to ignite young people's passion for space exploration
  • The bureau calls on secondary and primary schools to strengthen aerospace science education in their science curricula, while kindergartens should transform the story of national aerospace achievements and Lai's perseverance into inspirational tales for young children
  • The Education Bureau published the "Digital Education Development Blueprint for Primary and Secondary Schools" in June, pledging to support schools in implementing digital education through curriculum optimization, teacher training, and cross-sector collaboration
  • The new school year's key focus includes "Promoting Holistic Development and Mental Health," with the launch of the "Friendly Campus Campaign" to spread anti-bullying messages and promote values of respect, friendship, and compassion
  • For kindergarten education, the bureau emphasizes nurturing children's spirit of inquiry and problem-solving abilities, encouraging schools to utilize natural environments for hands-on exploration and knowledge building

Why It Matters

The back-to-school message underscores Hong Kong's educational priorities amid the 30th anniversary milestone, integrating national identity education with STEM development and student well-being initiatives. The emphasis on Dr. Lai Ka-ying as a role model reflects broader efforts to connect Hong Kong students with national achievements, particularly in high-profile sectors like aerospace. These coordinated efforts signal the Education Bureau's strategic approach to cultivating a generation that is both locally rooted and nationally aware, positioning schools as key platforms for patriotic education alongside academic excellence.
The back-to-school message underscores Hong Kong's educational priorities amid the 30th anniversary milestone, integrating national identity education with STEM development and student well-being initiatives. The emphasis on Dr. Lai Ka-ying as a role model reflects broader efforts to connect Hong Kong students with national achievements, particularly in high-profile sectors like aerospace. These coordinated efforts signal the Education Bureau's strategic approach to cultivating a generation that is both locally rooted and nationally aware, positioning schools as key platforms for patriotic education alongside academic excellence.