FLASS future educators sweep awards at Hong Kong Prospective Teachers Competition

Mr Chris Ho Chun-hong, a student from the Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Primary) - General Studies (Humanities and Science) (BEd(P)-GS) programme, was among ten students from higher education institutions, including three others from FLASS, who were honoured with the prestigious Gold Award for their outstanding performance at the “Twelfth Hong Kong Outstanding Prospective Teachers Award” competition. The winners received trophies, certificates, and cash prizes at the final award-presentation ceremony held on 5 April 2025.

The competition was jointly organised by the Hong Kong New Generation Cultural Association and the Hong Kong Prospective Teachers Association with sponsorship from the Tin Ka Ping Foundation. It ran from January 2024 to April 2025. The judging panel consisted of education professionals from various universities, as well as principals from secondary schools, primary schools, and kindergartens. They evaluated 147 nominees from higher education institutions across Hong Kong based on five criteria: vision, self-cultivation, enthusiasm and mission for education, social commitment, and teaching competence.

Reflecting on the selection process, Chun-hong described the final round of assessment as particularly challenging. “I had to deliver a mock lesson before a panel of three experienced principals. Just as in a real classroom, I asked them questions to gauge their understanding of my teaching. One of the judges deliberately gave an incorrect answer to test my immediate response. Fortunately, my EdUHK studies had prepared me for unexpected situations in the classroom. I recalled what I had learnt and successfully guided the ‘naughty’ student back on track,” he said.

In addition to testing his ability to respond swiftly to answers, the panel also questioned Chun-hong on current educational issues and policies. “The new general studies curriculum for primary schools, which will be divided into humanities and science sections, is set to launch in the 2025/26 academic year. This change will bring many anticipated challenges. To be an effective teacher, I must continually update my knowledge about the implementation and policy aspects of the new curriculum,” he explained.

Chun-hong expressed his gratitude to the teachers from both the Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES) and the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies (SSPS) for their invaluable guidance throughout his studies. “I especially want to thank Ms Agnes Man Mei-sum from SES and Dr Benjamin Li Yuet-man from SSPS. Ms Man and Dr Li, and all other teachers from both departments, are passionate educators. I remember Ms Man reminded me the importance of safety when guiding primary students through scientific exploration. Dr Li taught me how to use drama to instil moral values in young children. The knowledge and skills I gained from them helped me secure a teaching position at a primary school,” he said.

According to Ms Man, Chun-hong possesses strong presentation and teaching skills. “He is talented in teaching and always adapts his teaching strategies according to different situations. During a mock teaching session at a job interview at a primary school, he incorporated my advice and delivered the core concepts of science effectively. In the interview, he was able to apply what he had learnt over the five years of study at EdUHK and knew how to impress the interviewers with his strengths. The school offered him the position because of his remarkable performance,” she said.

Out of 147 nominees, 48 participants were recognised as outstanding prospective teachers after two rounds of assessment. Of these, ten finalists received gold awards, ten received silver, and ten received bronze, with eighteen received merit titles at the final award-presentation ceremony on 5 April 2025. Gold award winners received HK$5,000, while silver and bronze recipients were awarded HK$3,000 and HK$1,000, respectively, along with trophies and certificates.

FLASS students bagged a total of seven awards, including four gold awards, two silver awards and one merit award. In addition to Mr Chris Ho Chun-hong, Mr Cloof Siu Chun-ping from the Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Secondary) – Information and Communication Technology programme, and Ms Emily Cheung Yu-yi and Ms Alice Li Yuen-ying, both from the Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Business, Accounting and Financial Studies), also received gold awards.

Gold Award

Silver Award

Merit Award