The following is issued on behalf of the Education Commission:

The Education Commission (EC) submitted to the Chief Executive today (September 28) its report on "Reform Proposals for the Education System in Hong Kong".

Presenting an overview on the review of the education system, the EC Chairman, Mr Antony Leung said, "At the request of the Chief Executive, we commenced work on the review in 1998, with ensuing consultations involved in three stages."

"To map out the direction of the reform, initially the public was invited to comment on the aims of education for Hong Kong for the 21st Century. At the second stage, the direction and overall framework for the reform was formulated and the public was consulted on the draft. On the basis of comments received, concrete proposals for reforming the education system were made and the final stage of consultation was launched," said Mr Leung.

"After carefully reviewing all opinions received, we finalised our proposals and submitted our final report to the Chief Executive today. The report represents the concerted efforts of not just the EC and its working groups and sub-groups, but also all members of the community who have so eagerly debated and contributed to the discussions.

"During the past two years, we were glad to see that the community as a whole actively participated in the review. During the three stages of public consultation, we received altogether over 30,000 written submissions from various sectors of the community, including teachers, students, parents, education bodies, school sponsoring bodies, community services groups as well as the business sector.

"Lifelong learning and all-round development emerged as the major theme. There was general consensus on the basic principles of 'student-focused', 'no-loser', 'life-wide learning', 'promoting quality' and 'society-wide mobilisation'.

"The community as a whole also agreed that we must enable our students to enjoy learning, enhance their effectiveness in communication, develop their independent, critical and creative thinking, as well as a sense of commitment to society.

"I am most heartened that a paradigm shift in the learning and teaching culture is starting to take place. It is fundamental to the success of the education reform. I sincerely hope that all members of the community will lend their support in seeing the reform to fruition," Mr Leung said.

Following the submission of the report, the EC will set up three working groups to examine the following issues:

1. the feasibility of implementing a 3-year structure for senior secondary education, the detailed proposals and implementation timetable should this go ahead;

2. the interface and articulation among post-secondary programmes provided by different types of institutions; and

3. policies and supporting measures to further promote the development of continuing education.

"The EC hopes that the Government will accept the proposals, provide new resources for the various proposals, and formulate an effective implementation plan. The EC will continue to monitor and review the implementation of the reforms so proposed," he added.

Both the Chinese and English versions of the report, including a summary of the reform proposals in Chapter 2 of the report, are available on the EC's website at http://www.e-c.edu.hk. Copies of the report will be available at all District Offices, the Regional Education Offices of the Education Department and public libraries in mid-October. A summary of the comments received during the consultation period is also available on the website.

Ends/Thursday, September 28, 2000