KUALA LUMPUR - Macau’s Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) said a careful review is needed before relaxing overseas student admission rules for non-tertiary schools.

The bureau said the potential impact on student numbers, class sizes and long-term demand for school places must be thoroughly evaluated before any policy changes.

In a written reply to lawmaker Song Pek Kei, bureau director Kong Chi Meng said the scale of potential enrolment by overseas students must be considered, as reported by Macau Daily Times.

“The proposal to relax overseas student admissions must be assessed for the scope and scale of incoming students and the long-term impact on non-tertiary school places,” he said.

Kong said such measures also involve student visa procedures and residency or activity permissions for accompanying guardians.

He added that pathways for mainland students to continue their studies in Macau after completing non-tertiary education must also be established.

“Such proposals should be considered in conjunction with social consensus,” he said.

Kong also highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen teacher development and professional growth.

He said the bureau actively implements the System Framework for Private School Teaching Staff of Non-tertiary Education.

The framework provides structured training programmes for teachers at different stages of their careers.

These include training for new teachers as well as management courses for mid-level and senior school administrators.

Key areas of training include programming education, artificial intelligence, applied skills, constitutional and Macau Basic Law education, national security, and physical and mental health.

Kong said the bureau also works with leading mainland teachers’ universities to establish research and training exchange bases.

These collaborations help educators stay updated on emerging technologies and education practices.

The Education Fund’s School Development Grant Scheme also provides targeted funding for school-based training and full-time professional development.

Meanwhile, Kong highlighted policies allowing Macau teachers to practise in the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

“Qualified Macau teachers who are patriotic and love Macau, after assessment and certification by the cooperation zone, may conveniently practise there,” he said.

He added that Macau residents who meet the necessary requirements receive equal treatment when teaching in Macau schools operating in Hengqin.

These teachers are also entitled to professional development allowances and recognition of their service years.

Kong said the bureau continues to monitor changes in the school-age population.

He added that studies have been commissioned to assess the potential impact on Macau’s education system.

Any move to relax overseas student admissions, he said, must balance infrastructure capacity, teacher resources, visa arrangements and post-study pathways.

Kong said the policy must also be guided by broad social consensus to ensure the sustainable development of Macau’s education system.