The following is issued on behalf of the Education Commission:

The Chairman of the Education Commission (EC), Dr Rosanna Wong Yick-ming, today (January 2) said that she welcomed the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR)'s consultation document on "Action Plan to Raise the Language Standards in Hong Kong".

"I note that following a comprehensive language education review, SCOLAR has put forward a number of recommendations concerning the setting of basic language competencies expected of students and working adults, as well as raising students' motivation for language learning. I would like to thank the Committee for their invaluable contribution and their excellent work."

"Language education is one of the key areas of the Education Reform. We must endeavour to enhance the language proficiency of our population, including their ability to be biliterate and trilingual, in order to ensure the continued success and competitiveness of Hong Kong."

"We require the concerted efforts of everyone, in particular the education sector, to create an environment conducive to language learning and enhancement. We encourage members of the community to send in their views to SCOLAR during the consultation period, so that they may be taken into account before the recommendations are finalised."

Ends/Thursday, January 2, 2003