Association claims Macau lags behind in continuous education

The Macau Association for Continuing Education (AEAM) voiced its dissatisfaction over the government’s five-year plan regarding the education sector during a meeting held recently. Lawrence Tsui, president of the East Asia Forum for Adult Education (EAFAE), criticized the government for deleting the schedule of developments in continuous education from the plan.
Several ideas had already been included in local development blueprints, according to Tsui. Along with Tsui, Thomas Ng, vice president of EAFAE, and Ken Choi, president of AEAM, urged the government to reconsider the promotion of a “Learning Society” in its upcoming plan drafts.
Tsui feels that the Macau authority has not been keeping its promises over the past few years. “In Macau, although the two past chief executives always mentioned the plan to construct a ‘Learning Society’, these actions have been withdrawn,” said Tsui, adding, “This should not be only a slogan but should also result in tangible projects.”
In the years of 2012, 2013, and 2014, the local government mentioned the creation of “learning communities” in its educational policies. However, these policies disappeared from the educational policies in 2015 and 2016. “Nothing concrete has happened,” said Tsui.
In the first draft of Macau’s five-year plan the aforementioned topic was included, but then it was withdrawn when the second draft was released. The three men commented they are going to deliver further suggestions to the government regarding this issue.
Tsui has suggested that the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau build at least three learning communities before 2020, as well as seeking to promote a lifelong learning attitude.