Call for less emphasis on language skills for Hong Kong university admission

A group of secondary school heads in Hong Kong has called on the government to drop the language requirements for university admission to “avoid placing too much focus” on the skills as authorities seek to promote institutions specialising in vocational training.

The Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools on Thursday suggested only the “total grade points in the best five subjects” be counted instead of the current grades for both Chinese and English languages.

“This can avoid placing too much focus on language ability and can more holistically take care of students of different abilities,” the association said, ahead of the chief executive’s policy address in October.

Diploma of Secondary Education Examination candidates are only qualified for university entrance if they attain at least Level 3 out of the five-tier grading system in both Chinese and English languages.

They should also get at least Level 2 in mathematics and pass the citizenship and social development subject.