As in the past, St. Paul’s College has continued to achieve excellent results in public examinations and was transformed into a Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) school in the early 21st century.
A Time of Changes:
During this period, education in Hong Kong experienced a transition from the traditional model to a modern one, encouraging diversity and novelty.
History of St. Paul’s College
1985
The first Putonghua class was introduced at St. Paul’s College
In view of the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, Principal Timothy Ha Wing Ho introduced the use of Putonghua in Chinese lessons at the College, pioneering the use of Putonghua in all secondary schools in Hong Kong.
1995
St. Paul’s College’s first overseas study tour took place
St. Paul’s College started organising overseas study tours to broaden students’ horizons. In 2002, the College launched the Global Classroom programme, and expanded the scale of the study tour to involve all academic departments, with visits to the Chinese mainland, Europe, the United States, etc.
2002–2010
The school underwent several improvement projects
The seventh floor of the East Wing was added in 2002 and the new South Wing was constructed in 2006 to replace the former Primary School Building. The College renovated the Wong Ming Him Hall in 2008 and the College Hall in 2010, adding computers and a rehearsal space to prepare the school for the educational needs of the 21st century.
2002
St. Paul’s College was converted to a DSS school
The secondary section of St. Paul’s College opted to become a DSS school, making the College one of the first schools to join DSS. The first DSS students enrolled in September 2002. The primary section of the College followed suit the next year.
2012
The last batch of matriculation programme students graduated and the first batch of students took the HKDSE
With the termination of HKALE, St. Paul’s College ceased admitting girls and became an all-boys school.
Development of Education in HK
1984
Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed, confirming that sovereignty over Hong Kong would be transferred to China in 1997
1991
Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) was implemented
DSS was introduced in the 1991–1992 school year to inject more variety into the private school sector. In the 2000–2001 school year, DSS was extended to primary schools.
1991
Post-secondary education began to expand
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology was founded in 1991. Since 1994, former post-secondary institutions have been upgraded to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, The Open University of Hong Kong, Lingnan University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, etc.
1994
Five colleges of education were amalgamated to form The Hong Kong Institute of Education
Five colleges of education, namely Northcote College of Education, Grantham College of Education, Sir Robert Black College of Education, Hong Kong Technical Teacher’s College and Institute of Language in Education, were amalgamated in 1994 to form The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd). In 2016, the Institute was granted university title — The Education University of Hong Kong.
1997
Hong Kong reverted to Chinese sovereignty and became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
2000
Education Reform in Hong Kong
In September 2000, the Education Commission published “Learning for Life, Learning through Life: Reform Proposals for the Education System in Hong Kong” and compiled a report titled ‘Learning to Learn — The Way Forward in Curriculum Development’. A variety of education policies were developed under the reform, including changing the academic structure to include 3-year junior secondary education, 3-year senior secondary education and 4-year university education, administering Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), etc.
2009
The New Academic Structure for Senior Secondary was implemented
Following the passage of Education (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2004, the New Academic Struture for Senior Secondary was implemented in 2009 with replacement of the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) and Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) with HKDSE.
