Enriched IT Programme in Secondary Schools

Embedded in practically all economic sectors, IT is a major driving force for continuous social and economic developments, underpinning innovation, competitiveness and long-term prosperity. With increasing development of IT in almost all spheres of economic activity, we can expect an increase in the demand for IT talent in all respects.

Schools are the best ground to scout and develop IT talent. Early exposure in IT coupled with intensive training on logical thinking and creative problem solving in students' formative years is conducive to nurturing their computational thinking ability to innovate at a young age.

The Financial Secretary announced in the 2014-15 Budget that we plan to incorporate IT enrichment programmes in secondary schools which are outstanding in IT education. By so doing, we hope to cultivate young IT professionals and even entrepreneurs to meet the development needs of a digital society.

The Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) proposed to implement, on a pilot basis, a two-pronged Enriched IT Programme (EITP) in secondary schools to be launched in the 2015/16 school year for eight years until 2022/23. The Enriched IT Programme comprises two elements －

(a) Enriched IT Class Programme - enriched IT classes to be run by up to eight selected secondary schools (partner schools) to provide intensive IT training to students who are interested and talented in IT; and

(b) Enriched IT Activities Programme - enriched IT activities to be organised by secondary schools to foster a pro-IT atmosphere and stimulate interest in IT in the school community.

The two-pronged Enriched IT Programme in secondary schools is a collaborative effort of secondary schools to work with tertiary institutions and industry to cultivate IT talent early in secondary studies.

Enriched IT Class Programme

The OGCIO issued Request for Proposals on 9 February 2015 to invite all government, aided and caput secondary schools, and local secondary schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme to apply for participation in developing and implementing an Enriched IT Class Programme to provide intensive IT enrichment training to secondary school students from 2015/16 to 2022/23 school year with an aim to identify and cultivate young IT talent early to meet the development needs of a digital society in Hong Kong. The OGCIO has completed the selection process in June 2015 in accordance with the criteria set out in the Request for Proposals document. Below are the eight partner schools selected to run Enriched IT Class from 2015/16 to 2022/23 school year:

• Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School
• Christian Alliance SW Chan Memorial College
• Man Kwan Pak Kau College
• Pui Ching Middle School
• Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College
• St.Paul's Convent School
• The Y.W.C.A. Hioe Tjo Yoeng College
• Tin Ka Ping Secondary School

Enriched IT Activities Programme

The OGCIO will invite other interested secondary schools to organise IT activities for students in order to enrich IT learning outside the school curriculum, to provide more opportunities for students to apply IT knowledge, and to cultivate creativity through IT or related activities.

Please read the Fact Sheet or visit the EITP Portal for more information.

If you have any suggestions, please email to scitp_secretariat@ogcio.gov.hk