Overview
| Certificate in PDP on Communication, Mediation and Complaint Management | |
|---|---|
| Programme Code | BWP120 |
| Mode of Study | Full-time Block Release |
| Duration | 5 Weeks |
| Venue | North Point Study Centre |
| Programme Co-ordinator | Dr Leung Wing Tat |
| Programme Enquiries | Miss Annie Wu 2948 7610 |
Programme Aims
This programme aims to explore ways to benefit all those involved and build a fair, just and open system for managing complaints at school. On completion of this programme, participants are expected to:
- strengthen skills in working collaboratively with parents in education contexts with emphasis on home-school cooperation and effective communication with parents of different backgrounds;
- enhance the knowledge about legal matters in relation to handling of school complaints; and
- identify strategies of complaint management in schools and develop mediation skills based on practical experiences in resolving school complaints.
Programme Structure
The programme comprises the following three courses of 3 credit points each:
Parent-School Partnerships
This course focuses on theory, research, policy and current practice in parent-school partnerships in Hong Kong and other countries. It examines the challenges of different types of collaborative partnerships and the delivery of effective partnership programmes to facilitate parent-school cooperation in the changing society. This course also aims at introducing skills in working collaboratively with parents in education contexts with emphasis on home-school cooperation and effective communication with parents of different backgrounds.
School Complaint Management
This course aims at exploring legal matters and mediation skills in relation to handling school complaints. In addition to case analysis, such strategies as evidence collection and record keeping, media handling, prevention of complaints and a whole school approach to complaint management are to be shared by experienced lawyers, mediators, principals and/or teachers. This course examines the concept of school-based management and its application with regard to the complaint handling mechanism. It also introduces different complaint channels, such as the Legislative Council, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data.
Mediation for School Complaints
This course introduces participants to the basic notion and skills of mediation through case studies and hands-on experiences. It emphasizes the practice of skills and strategies involved in the process of mediation. Participants would revisit their previous experiences in handling school complaints in light of the new knowledge and skills gained from this course.
Medium of Instruction
The medium of instruction is mainly Chinese (Cantonese) and will be supplemented by English where appropriate.
Programme Duration
| Cohort(s) | Period of Study |
|---|---|
| 1 | 15 April to 18 May 2024 |
Entrance Requirements
To be eligible for admission, applicants should be:
- in-service teachers, middle leaders and vice principals in primary, secondary and special schools, preferably those responsible for student guidance and discipline and managing school complaints; and
- recommended by school principals.
Remarks: Each school can recommend more than one teacher.
Award
To be awarded a Certificate of Completion, participants must obtain a pass in all assessment tasks required and successfully fulfill the attendance requirements as stipulated by the programme.
Other Information
This Government-funded programme is supported by the Education Bureau (EDB). Schools which release teachers to take this programme are eligible for supply teachers, if deemed necessary. Government and aided schools shall contact the EDB for detailed arrangements. Private and DSS schools shall make their own arrangements for the employment of supply teachers.
Participants who complete our PDPs are eligible to apply for credit transfer if they enroll in our postgraduate programmes. Their applications will be considered on an individual basis.
