A survey by the Federation of Education workers has suggested that only 36 percent of Hong Kong's teachers are comfortable teaching STEM subjects, with a large majority also suggesting that facilities are insufficient to do so. This correlates with an earlier story at the beginning of this year that students are electing to avoid studying advanced math and science.
In addition to a lack of infrastructure other reasons given were a lack of training and lack of support with teaching materials. The teachers surveyed (STEM teachers across 426 schools) were almost unanimous in suggestiing that they would be open to receiving training.
Commentary by Steve Corry, Head of Education Services, Hong Kong:
Hong Kong needs more STEM graduates, with significant shortages of professionals in a number of fields such as healthcare and engineering, as well as a need to diversify the economy and increase research and development. However it has already been reported that students are avoiding taking STEM elective subjects in the HKDSE, leaving students unprepared for university applications for STEM subjects.
Data from recent British Council events suggests that the most popular subjects among Hong Kong students looking to go to the UK are mostly Business, Humanities and Law, with only Health and Medicine being among popular subjects. Engineering and Technology, Computer Science, Applied and Pure Sciences attract smaller numbers of applicants in comparison.