DSEJ to offer more external study chances for students

The Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) hopes to provide more opportunities for students with different talents and strengths to study outside of Macau.
On Friday, the Non-Tertiary Education Council and the Youth Affairs Committee held a joint meeting to review the two organizations’ key projects in 2020 and 2021, as well as the recently-passed non-tertiary education private school protocol.
During a press conference after the meeting, the Chief of the DSEJ’s Department of Youth, Cheong Man Fai, discussed the bureau’s plan to support Macau youth.
According to Cheong, the DSEJ hopes to provide more external study opportunities to students who do not perform excellently in school exams but who show a brilliant performance in other fields or possess other qualities.
The bureau wants to enhance these specific students’ confidence, and expand their horizons.
During the meeting, multiple members of the two committees raised questions concerning the basic principle of the establishment and operation of the board of school.
On August 20, the non-tertiary private school law No.15/2020 came into effect, which requires all private schools to establish a school board.
As of today, 64 out of 67 private schools have already established their own school boards or other relevant organizations.
On the same day, the public consultation period on the Macau Youth Policy (2021-2030) officially ended.
Preliminary statistics show that the DSEJ received over 500 opinions from its 13 public consultation sessions in addition to 80 opinions submitted online and in person.
Details of the consultation report will be published at a later date.
According to the DSEJ’s conclusion, the public mostly endorsed the consultation text and agreed to redefine “youth” so that more individuals will be covered. Many who expressed their opinion are hoping the local government enhances support to young families.

Bureau urges parents, teachers to pay attention to students’ needs

On Friday, a 16-year-old male secondary school student jumped to his death. Speaking about the matter, Wong Ka Kei, who heads the Department of Education of the DSEJ, expressed his sorrow regarding the incident and sent his condolences to the late student’s family.
The DSEJ has noted that it is optimizing its campus crisis management mechanisms. However, it admitted that the mechanisms may not be effective in some cases.
Therefore, Wong hopes that local parents, teachers and counsellors can pay more attention to the needs of their students.
The Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) encourages residents to be aware of their psychological and emotional state as well as that of their relatives and friends. In case of any needs, residents can call Caritas’ Life Hope hotline (28525222) or IAS’ counseling hotline (28261126).