Education Deputy Praises Art's Role in Child Development at Painting Competition
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The 13th Hong Kong Children Painting Competition 2026 held its award ceremony at Whampoa Estate Fashion Plaza on May 29. Deputy Secretary for Education Si Ka-fai highlighted how artistic creation nurtures children's cognitive development, imagination and critical thinking skills amid rapid technological advancement. Over 100 schools participated with more than 2,000 entries competing for 208 awards across Chinese and Western painting categories.
Key Points
- Deputy Secretary for Education Si Ka-fai officiated the ceremony, stating that art education enhances problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, which is crucial in the era of rapid technological development .
- The competition, organized by Eastern Weekly magazine under Sing Tao News Corporation, received entries from over 100 schools and art studios, with more than 2,000 submissions .
- A total of 208 awards were presented, covering eight age groups for both Chinese and Western paintings, with winners aged 4 to 11 years old .
- The Education Bureau released digital education guidelines to enhance students' digital literacy and AI application capabilities across all primary and secondary schools .
- A second phase of AI education teacher training will be launched between October and December, featuring workshops with startups and technology companies .
Why It Matters
The competition underscores Hong Kong's commitment to balancing technological advancement with creative arts education, ensuring children develop both digital literacy and artistic capabilities. Si's emphasis on art education's role in fostering critical thinking reflects growing recognition that creativity remains essential alongside AI competency development .
The competition underscores Hong Kong's commitment to balancing technological advancement with creative arts education, ensuring children develop both digital literacy and artistic capabilities. Si's emphasis on art education's role in fostering critical thinking reflects growing recognition that creativity remains essential alongside AI competency development .