Job Description
Certificated Master
Engaged in class teaching in primary schools, secondary schools, special schools or the Practical Education Centres, or serve as teacher librarians
Impart basic knowledge and social skills, and develop students' potential
Prepare teaching programmes and deliver lectures with the aid of audio-visual equipment
Be a class master; assess and record students' attainment
Organise and conduct extra-curricular activities, maintain discipline and order in the classroom
Assist in school administrative work and non-teaching duties
Correct assignments, prepare test and examination papers for assessment of students' attainment
Help the maladjusted students and those who have discipline or learning problems, and discuss solutions with the parents
Some may be required to give on-the-spot instruction or demonstration in laboratories or workshops
Assistant Primary School Master
Teach in primary schools
Scope of duties similar to those of Certificated Masters
Play a leading role in implementing the following new initiatives in schools: School-based Management, Effective Curriculum Initiatives, School Administration and Management System, Whole School Approach to Guidance and information technology in education
Graduate Master/ Assistant Education Officer/ Primary School Master
Engaged in class teaching in primary schools, secondary schools or special schools, or teach mentally handicapped children in Special Education Services Centres
Impart cultural and academic knowledge and social skills to prepare students for further study or employment
Prepare teaching programmes and deliver lectures with the aid of audio-visual equipment
Be a class master; assess and record students' attainment
Organise and conduct extra-curricular activities, maintain discipline and order in the classroom
Correct assignments, prepare test and examination papers for assessment of students' attainment, and help them prepare for open examinations
Perform special responsibilities, administrative work and non-teaching duties of the school
Help the maladjusted students and those who have discipline or learning problems, and discuss solutions with the parents
Keep abreast of the latest development and knowledge of the subject they teach to widen their horizon and improve their teaching skills so as to meet the changing needs of the students
Qualities and Qualifications
To be employed as a teacher in a kindergarten, primary or secondary school, one has to secure a status of registered teacher or permitted teacher under the Education Ordinance:
Registered
Teacher
Non-graduate Teacher - holding a teacher's
certificate
Graduate Teacher - holding a bachelor's degree
plus a Diploma/Certificate in Education
Permitted
teachers
Have an adequate educational background, but no
professional teaching qualification is required
Patient, enjoy dealing with children and teenagers
Enthusiastic in work and willing to accept new ideas
Have good power of expression
Teachers of primary or junior secondary classes in government or aided schools should have a Teacher's Certificate and start as Certificated Masters
Assistant Primary School Master: secure a recognised bachelor degree and have received teacher training in primary education or possess equivalent qualifications; in-service Certificated Masters with a recognised university degree or equivalent qualifications may switch to the rank of Assistant Primary School Master
Teacher of technical or commercial subjects in government or aided secondary schools: have a Technical Teacher's Certificate awarded by a recognised educational institute or equivalent qualifications (They may also attend some in-service part-time courses to improve their teaching skills)
Permitted teachers may attend in-service teachers' training courses to gain the status of registered teacher
Private schools are allowed to employ suitable applicants as permitted teachers if they possess relevant qualifications, such as five subjects at Grade E or above in the HKCEE including English Language and Chinese Language
Career Path
Government/Aided Primary Schools
Certificated Master > Assistant Master > Senior Assistant Master > Principal Assistant Master
Assistant Primary School Master > Primary School Master > Headmaster II > Headmaster I
Government Secondary Schools
Certificated Master > Assistant Master > Senior Assistant Master > Principal Assistant Master
Assistant Education Officer > Education Officer > Senior Education Officer > Principal II > Principal I
Aided Secondary Schools
Certificated Master > Assistant Master > Senior Assistant Master > Principal Assistant Master
Graduate Master > Senior Graduate Master > Principal Graduate Masters > Principal II > Principal