A total of 464 would-be teachers have registered online for the exam, which will be administered by the Professional Regulation Commission at Delia Memorial School-Hip Wo in Kwun Tong.
However, the applications are still being assessed by the Professional Regulation Commission, which means there is a chance that some may not make it to the final list.
On Sept 11, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office issued the general guidelines to exam-takers on what to do, what to bring, and how to get to the exam venue at 122 Hip Wo St, a distance about 500 meters from the MTR Kwun Tong Station.
The National Organization of Professional Teachers (Hong Kong) said the only concerns now were the final list of examinees from the PRC and the mobilizing of proctors and watchers.
“As of the moment, we are still waiting for the advisory from POLO about proctors and watchers,” said NOPT President Gemma Lauraya, who said no briefing or orientation had yet been held or slated.
She said NOPT held its last and final review on Sept 10 at Bayanihan Center.
In its Sept 11 announcement on Facebook, POLO said the exam will be from 6am to 6pm. It reminded all examinees to arrive on time, stating that those who show up after 6pm will no longer be admitted, and their registration fees will be forfeited.
The arrival deadline will be a challenge to the examinees, as Hong Kong’s public transport system start running only around that time. Even if they manage to get onto the MTR ahead of that time, they will have to walk about 15 minutes from the nearest station. Otherwise, they will have to queue really early for the minibuses plying that route to ensure they get to the venue on time.
But Lauraya said that based on her observations in past exams, those who were not so late were still able to sit for the test, and only those who arrived after midday were barred.
She said some takers were allowed by their employers to leave early or stay in boarding houses near the venue on the eve of the exam. Others went to the venue on taxicabs in groups. - VBL
