The following is issued on behalf of the Education Commission:

The Education Commission (EC) today (May 20) discussed and endorsed the report of its Working Group on "Review of the Academic Structure of Senior Secondary Education".

Recapping the background of the review, the EC Chairman, Dr Rosanna Wong said, "The EC in its report 'Reform Proposals for the Education System in Hong Kong' recommended that a study should be conducted on the feasibility of implementing a three-year structure for secondary education in Hong Kong and to formulate recommendations on the implementation timetable and transitional arrangements."

"The Commission has set up a dedicated Working Group to undertake the review. Following careful and thorough deliberations over the past two years, the Working Group's report was submitted to and endorsed by the EC today. The report represents the concerted efforts of members of the Working Group, educators from both the secondary and tertiary education sectors whom the Working Group has consulted during the review, and representatives of the implementation agencies concerned."

"There is consensus that Hong Kong should move towards a three-year senior secondary education structure, and correspondingly a four-year undergraduate programme, which will provide more broad-based and diversified curriculum for both senior secondary students and undergraduates. The aim is to strengthen the language proficiency, critical thinking and generic abilities of students."

"To ensure that the proposed new structure will achieve the desired effects will require a number of pre-conditions. These include the development of a new curriculum and an internationally recognised public examination, adjustments to the university curriculum and admission system, the construction of new school premises, the training of teachers, and the provision of substantial financial resources, " she added.

"Having regard to the reforms that are already underway, the capacity of schools and teachers, and the fiscal situation, we consider it necessary to take a phased approach to changing the senior secondary education structure. Between now and 2006/07, which is the early preparatory stage, the Government will continue to take forward and consolidate the ongoing reforms to the curriculum, assessment and the public examinations and enhance the professional development of principals and teachers. They are the essential elements of, and give substance to, the proposed structural changes to senior secondary education. We urge the Government to announce by 2006/07 at the latest, when the first cohort of the three-year senior secondary programme will be in place. In any circumstances, parents will be informed at least three years prior to the year the first Senior Secondary One is in place, " she further explained.

"The EC is now finalising the review report and will submit the report to the Secretary for Education and Manpower in the next couple of days".

The public can access to both the Chinese and English versions of the executive summary on the EC's website at http://www.e-c.edu.hk from this Friday. The full report will also be uploaded on the same website shortly.

Ends/Tuesday, May 20, 2003