Hong Kong - Up to 80 Hong Kong schools could be given the choice of switching back to teaching in English, eleven years after a "mother-tongue" policy ordered them to teach in Chinese, government officials confirmed Friday.

The proposal, submitted to lawmakers on Thursday, is aimed at improving English-language standards which have fallen since Hong Kong ceased to be a British colony in 1997.

It would, if approved, give a number of schools where a large proportion of pupils are high-achievers the choice of teaching students in English.

Other secondary schools would have the option of using English for one quarter of lessons.

Education Secretary Michael Suen announced the proposal along with a package of support measures including scholarships aimed at attracting graduates and training Chinese teachers to conduct classes in English.

However, he said schools would be prevented from publicising how many classes they offered in English to avoid parents judging school standards on the teaching medium.

The controversial "mother-tongue" policy, introduced shortly after the handover when Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule, has been blamed for falling language standards.

It has resulted in fierce competition for places in the remaining English-medium schools and a sharp rise in the number of local children applying to fee-paying international schools.

Studies have claimed English language standards have fallen and in November, a survey of 2,000 Chinese professionals by the Polytechnic University found English was still rated to be the most important business language.

English professor Dr Stephen Evans said the findings suggested English has actually increased in importance since the handover in the city of 6.9 million. (dpa)