With concerted effort from key stakeholders in the education sector, Hong Kong has seen encouraging developments since the implementation of Education Reform in 2000, the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur Li, said today (June 14).

Speaking at a reporting session on the progress of Education Reform, Professor Li noted that there have been noticeable developments in a number of areas including curriculum reform, language education, professional development, assessment system and education opportunities.

Analysing the basic concept and strategy on manpower from a macro perspective, Professor Li pointed out that the Education Reform, closely related to manpower development, could be summarised under three key principles - breaking down barriers and creating room for all, creating opportunities, and assuring quality.

"On breaking down barriers, we will, for instance, delegate power to school management committees so that schools could make better use of resources to recruit the most suitable people with a view to devising the most appropriate curriculum and activities for students in the light of students' needs," he said.

In the higher education sector, by de-regularising the salary structure and relaxing the admission restrictions, universities have been given the flexibility to make best use of the resources. Universities are also encouraged to identify and develop areas they perform well and to ensure that resources are put to best use.

Speaking on creating opportunities, Professor Li stressed that the Government would continue to pursue diversity in the education system such as encouraging the set up of Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools and Senior Secondary Schools to provide more choice for parents.

The Government is also fully committed to raising the skills and academic standards of the working population. One of the measures adopted is to enhance the qualification of our young people before they join the work force. Our aim is to increase post-secondary education opportunities so that 60 per cent of senior secondary school leavers will have access to post-secondary education by 2010.

Turning to the manpower area, Professor Li said the Bureau and the Manpower Development Committee were studying the establishment of a comprehensive qualifications framework. This framework was to provide a platform to allow the articulation between academic and vocational qualifications, to facilitate credit accumulation and transfer, and to provide a clear life-long learning progression ladder.

In the basic education front, the Bureau has introduced the School Development and Accountability Framework to enhance transparency and accountability. In addition, it will continue to enhance the quality and professionalism of the teaching force, through providing training and support as well as formulating appropriate professional standards for teachers.

Echoing Professor Li's remarks on the Education Reform, the Chairperson of the Education Commission (EC), Dr Rosanna Wong, said EC had been working closely with EMB. After its merger with the Board of Education in February this year, the EC has taken an active part in advising the bureau on the implementation of education policies.

She supplemented that EC completed, as scheduled, the Review on the Harmonisation of the Systems of Kindergartens and Child Care Centres, Review of Language Education, Review of Teacher Education and Development, Review of the Senior Secondary Academic Structure, Post-secondary Education and Continuing Education, and Review of Higher Education last year.

To help compiling the education statistics to reflect the current sate of education in Hong Kong and to evaluate the changes and impacts brought about by the Education Reform, Dr Wong said that EC intended to draw up a framework of education statistics.

Before firming up the framework, the Commission has prepared a consultation document to seek views from the education sector. The document will be uploaded to the EC website ( http://www.e-c.edu.hk ) and the consultation period will last until the end of October 2003.

Acknowledging that the Education Reform has far-reaching implications, Dr Wong said that the reform efforts should be persistent, the reform should be implemented progressively, and a pragmatic attitude should be adopted.

"Quality and quantity are of equal importance in reforming the education system. The EC will continue to listen to views from various sectors and make an effort to resolve problems encountered by the frontline educators," Dr Wong said.

"Accountability and transparency should be enhanced. As an advisory body, EC has the responsibility to reflect and collect various sectors' views on education policies," she added.

She also said that teachers' training should be strengthened and teachers be given adequate support. She noted that the Advisory Committee on Teacher Education and Qualifications has drafted a Teacher Competencies Framework. Consultation with the education sector would begin shortly.

Looking ahead, Dr Wong said that the Points System of the Primary One Admission mechanism, Secondary School Places Allocation System and the Medium of Instruction policy would be the three major reviews to be carried out in 2003/04.

Today's reporting session was co-organised by EMB and EC. Also present were the Chairman of Advisory Committee on Teacher Education and Qualifications, Professor Cheng Kai-ming, the Chairman of Standing Committee on Language Education and Research, Mr Michael Tien, the Chairman of Curriculum Development Council, Professor Wong Yuk-shan, and the Chairman of the University Grants Committee, Dr Alice Lam.

Ends/Saturday, June 14, 2003