Don't let your child lose at the starting line? Deconstructing the new learning norm behind the Education Bureau's NT$500 million allocation, and teaching you how to cultivate AI literacy and logical thinking at home.

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence globally, 2026 will undoubtedly be a landmark year for Hong Kong's education sector. The Hong Kong Education Bureau (EDB) has officially launched the AI ​​for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme . This policy not only involves a total investment of up to HK$500 million, but also marks a new era in Hong Kong's primary and secondary education, moving from "e-learning" to "human-machine collaboration."

For parents, this is no longer just a school matter, but a crucial factor directly impacting their children's academic competitiveness and future careers. This guide will break down the key points of this report, from policy interpretation and curriculum integration to "unplugged" training at home, providing the most practical and down-to-earth survival guide for parents .

Key SEO Summary: From 2026 onwards, AI will no longer be an extracurricular activity, but a "compulsory" supplementary tool for all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. Parents need to shift their role from "supervisors" to "co-learners."

Table of Contents

• 1. Policy Summary: What are the requirements for schools under the "Smart Learning and Teaching" program?
• 2. Curriculum Breakdown: From primary to junior high school, what are children actually learning?
• 3. Redefining AI Literacy: The Three Pillars of Logic, Data, and Debugging
• 4. Worried about damaging your eyes? Try this "unplugged" home training method.
• 5. Parents' Savior: Recommendations for Useful AI Learning Tools (including Cantonese support)
• 6. SEN and Non-Chinese Speakers: How AI Can Achieve Learning Equity
• 7. Conclusion: How Parents Can Transform from "Goalkeepers" to "Mentors"

1. Policy Summary: What are the requirements for schools under the "Smart Learning and Teaching" program?

Many parents ask, "Where will the school use this extra money?" According to the Education Bureau's regulations, after receiving a one-off special grant of HK$500,000 , all participating schools are not simply "buying a computer and that's it." Instead, they must meet strict key performance indicators (KPIs).

This means that starting in 2026, you will see the following significant changes in your children's classrooms:

• Interdisciplinary Coverage (3+ Mode): AI is no longer limited to computer classrooms! Schools must apply AI teaching in at least 3 subjects (such as Chinese, Mathematics, and Science), and each subject must cover at least 2 grade levels.
• Comprehensive Penetration: Schools need to develop AI teaching resources and hold AI-related programming competitions or ethics workshops.
• Sustainable development: Funding will be available until 2028 to ensure this is a long-term teaching strategy, not a one-off event.

A summary of the main uses of school funding:

2. Curriculum Breakdown: From primary to junior high school, what are children actually learning?

To prepare for the digital society of the future, the Education Bureau has adopted a tiered approach, from early childhood education to secondary school. Parents need to pay attention to the learning priorities at different stages in order to provide appropriate support at home.

Primary School Stage (Grades 4-6): Introduction to Programming

Class time requirement: 10 to 14 hours per grade per year.

• Core content: The focus is on computational thinking . Students will use visual tools such as Scratch to learn concepts such as loops and conditionals.
• Practical goal: To create a simple chatbot or game and cultivate creativity.
• Parents' strategy: At this stage, do not force children to write complex code, but encourage them to explain "the rules behind the game".

Junior Secondary School (Form 1 to Form 3): AI Principles and Ethics

Class time requirement: 10 to 14 hours per grade per year.

Upon entering secondary school, the curriculum will shift from simple programming to exploring the technical principles and social impact of AI.

3. Redefining AI Literacy: The Three Pillars of Logic, Data, and Debugging

Many parents mistakenly believe that "knowing how to use ChatGPT" equates to AI literacy. This is a serious misconception. A 2026 education report indicates that true core competencies lie in the following three areas:

A. Logic: The Foundation of Precise Instructions

The essence of AI is algorithm. Children need to learn "decomposition," breaking down large problems into smaller steps. This is the foundation for future prompt engineering . If children lack logic and only issue vague instructions, the answers provided by AI will be rubbish.

B. Data: Understanding AI Bias

"If AI has only seen pictures of cats, it will never be able to recognize dogs."

This is the simplest example to explain data bias . Parents need to teach their children fact-checking skills because AI can create "illusions" and spout nonsense with a straight face. The ability to distinguish truth from falsehood is a mandatory course for digital citizens in 2026.

C. Debugging: Technical Practices for Overcoming Adversity

In traditional exams, mistakes mean point deductions; in the world of AI, mistakes (bugs) are clues for optimization . Research shows that students who receive systematic debugging guidance experience a significant improvement in problem-solving efficiency.

This is not just about learning programming, but also about cultivating a "growth mindset" in children when facing setbacks.

4. Worried about damaging your eyes? Try this "unplugged" home training method.

Many parents worry that AI education equates to prolonged screen time. In fact, the best logic training often comes from "unplugged activities." Here are two games perfect for playing at home on weekends:

Game 1: Programmable Parent

• Suitable age: 3-8 years old
• How to play: Parents act as "robots" and children act as "programmers". Children give instructions to their parents to complete tasks (such as spreading jam).
• Key point: Parents must strictly follow the literal instructions. If the child only says "spread jam" without saying "open the lid," the parent should spread it through the lid.
• Learning point: Help children understand the consequences of unclear instructions and learn to make timely corrections (Debug).

Game 2: Blind Box Lego Robot

• Suitable age: 6 years and up
• How to play: Two people stand back to back. One person holds a pre-built model and gives verbal instructions to the other person to build the same model.
• Learning objectives: To train precise communication and spatial thinking, and to simulate the process of a computer receiving instructions.

5. Parents' Savior: Recommendations for Useful AI Learning Tools (including Cantonese support)

With so many tools on the market, the report specifically recommends several AI tools suitable for Hong Kong students. Importantly, these tools support Cantonese , addressing the pain point of parents who are not proficient in English.

1. Mozi AI:
   • Selling point: Hong Kong's first English learning platform specifically designed for local courses.
   • Features: Supports Cantonese explanations . Unlike typical AI that only provides answers, it guides you through the steps like a teacher, not only helping you improve your English but also helping you establish a self-learning cycle.
2. Dictation AI (Speech Decomposition AI)
   • Selling point: A lifesaver for overwhelmed parents.
   • Features: Supports dictation in Cantonese and Mandarin, automatically reads out the text, reducing the pressure on parents who have to read dictation after work.
3. Khanmigo (Khan Academy):
   • Selling point: The most powerful AI teaching assistant.
   • Function: Socratic teaching method, which guides children to think about mathematical problems through questioning, perfectly matching error correction thinking training.
4. Teachable Machine (Google):
   • Selling point: The top choice for learning data literacy.
   • Features: Parents can train simple models with their children (such as distinguishing between apples and oranges), visually demonstrating what "machine learning" is.

6. SEN and Non-Chinese Speakers: How AI Can Achieve Learning Equity

The "Smart Learning and Teaching" program places special emphasis on the inclusiveness of technology. For students with special educational needs (SEN) , AI is a powerful assistive tool:

• Dyslexia: By using AI’s speech-to-text (STT) and reading-aloud functions, students are no longer stuck on text decoding and can focus on content comprehension.
• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): AI tools can break down complex homework into smaller tasks and provide timed reminders, acting as an external brain for "executive functions".
• Autism Spectrum: Generative AI can act as a stress-free "social coach," allowing children to practice conversational skills in a safe environment.
• Non-Chinese speaking students (NCS): Tools like Turtle Teach provide targeted support for Chinese learning.

7. Conclusion: How Parents Can Transform from "Goalkeepers" to "Mentors"

In the AI ​​era, the last thing parents need to do is forbid their children from using technology, but they also can't let it go unchecked. Experts suggest that parents adhere to the "4Rs Charter" (Rest, Relaxation, Relationships, Resilience) and establish healthy boundaries for AI use.

Parents should ask two essential questions: 1. "How would you solve this problem without AI?" 2. "What new knowledge did you learn, or did you simply copy the AI's answer?"

Don't just be a "gatekeeper" controlling screen time; try to be a "co-learner" for your child. Share how you use AI to improve efficiency at work, and let your child understand that AI is your assistant, not your brain.

By understanding policies, mastering tools, and incorporating logical thinking into daily life, we can help our children stand firm in the educational tide of 2026 and become future talents who master technology.