Teachers face cert, security rules in new schools bill
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School teachers in Hong Kong will be required to hold practising certificates and barred from classrooms upon conviction of national security offences under an education amendment bill to be gazetted on Friday.
The Education (Amendment) Bill 2026 will apply to all teachers, including principals, in publicly funded, private and international schools as well as kindergartens.
They will need to be registered and hold a practising certificate that is valid for no more than three school years.
Teachers applying for a practising certificate will also have to meet continuing professional development requirements.
The Education Bureau said this would help teachers keep up with changing local and global education policies and ensure their knowledge and teaching methods meet students’ and society’s needs.
A bureau spokesman said the bill could boost public regard for the profession and lift teachers’ standing in society.
"As role models and key persons for nurturing students, the words and deeds, conduct and values of teachers have a profound impact on students," he said.
"Amid the complex and rapidly changing development of our society, the public and parents have increasingly high expectations of teachers' professionalism.
"The bill meets schools' actual operational needs, encourages teachers to keep pace with the times and strengthens teacher management, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the well-being of students."
The bill also includes safeguards to prevent people convicted of offences endangering national security from teaching in schools.
The bureau has consulted the sector since September last year and the Legislative Council's education panel on February 6.
The bill will be introduced to the Legislative Council for a first and second reading on November 25.
The Education (Amendment) Bill 2026 will apply to all teachers, including principals, in publicly funded, private and international schools as well as kindergartens.
They will need to be registered and hold a practising certificate that is valid for no more than three school years.
Teachers applying for a practising certificate will also have to meet continuing professional development requirements.
The Education Bureau said this would help teachers keep up with changing local and global education policies and ensure their knowledge and teaching methods meet students’ and society’s needs.
A bureau spokesman said the bill could boost public regard for the profession and lift teachers’ standing in society.
"As role models and key persons for nurturing students, the words and deeds, conduct and values of teachers have a profound impact on students," he said.
"Amid the complex and rapidly changing development of our society, the public and parents have increasingly high expectations of teachers' professionalism.
"The bill meets schools' actual operational needs, encourages teachers to keep pace with the times and strengthens teacher management, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the well-being of students."
The bill also includes safeguards to prevent people convicted of offences endangering national security from teaching in schools.
The bureau has consulted the sector since September last year and the Legislative Council's education panel on February 6.
The bill will be introduced to the Legislative Council for a first and second reading on November 25.