The following is issued on behalf of the Education Commission:

Over 100 members from major education advisory committees and the Education and Manpower Bureau participated in a Retreat held by the Education Commission (EC) at City University of Hong Kong today (18 September). The EC Chairperson, Dr Rosanna Wong, particularly thanked the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K. C. Li, for joining them throughout the Retreat and listening with interest to all views.

The meeting took stock of the achievements made by the Education Reform and assessed the experiences gained in the past four years. Participants also took the opportunity to review the scope and pace of the Reform in order to prepare for the steps ahead.

The EC Chairperson, Dr Rosanna Wong, said, "Education Reform has been implemented for four years. Before we proceed further, it is now opportune for the education sector to analyse the present situation from different perspectives and at different levels, and assess the development trends so as to orient ourselves on the road of the reform."

"Participants considered the Retreat to be intellectually stimulating which has allowed for a candid exchange of views. I am pleased that the direction of education reform was reaffirmed. We agreed that our three prime objectives were to pursue professional development and strengthen school leadership; achieve better co-ordination of policies and enhance communication within and outside the sector with strengthened partnership and mutual trust."

"The feedback collected from the Retreat will help pave the way for more concrete discussions at the EC's Annual Reporting Session to be held in December this year."

Dr Wong affirmed that reforming the education system was a global trend. "We have been working very hard on the Reform in the past four years. We now see many positive results, including the diversified curriculum, enriched students' learning experience and fewer tests and examinations. Primary school students are happier and more motivated while secondary school students are more active in learning," she asserted.

"Credit should go to schools, teachers and parents for without their staunch support, the education system would not have been upgraded within a short span of time," she added.

"With concerted efforts and perseverance, I am confident that Education Reform will certainly achieve its desired results and benefit the future generations."

Ends/Saturday, September 18, 2004