The following is issued on behalf of the Education Commission:

The Education Commission (EC) discussed issues related to small class teaching at its meeting held today (Wednesday). The EC considers it necessary for the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) to carefully examine the effectiveness and implications of implementing small class teaching in the Hong Kong context and supports the study on this issue.

The EC Chairman, Dr. Rosanna Wong, said, "Because the issue of small class teaching has roused such great concern in the community, the EC put the issue on the agenda of its meeting today."

"The EC does not object to small class teaching. It should be seen as just one of many ways by which to enhance the quality of education. There appears to be no clear conclusion from the many studies on this issue with regards to the effect on students' learning. It is apparent that substantial benefits are likely only when small class teaching is accompanied by changes in class room practices, including the curriculum and teachers' training."

"It is understandable that because of the continuous decline in the relevant age population, there are calls for an early implementation of small class teaching. However, we must also be aware of the financial commitments that small class teaching would entail as there will be a knock-on effect on other educational improvement measures which also require an in-put of resources. According to the blueprint of the Education Reform, there are other improvement measures, which include curriculum development, teacher training and professional development, as well as reforming the academic structure of senior secondary and university education, all of which are being - or are to be - implemented according to the resource strategy. This means that small class teaching cannot be rushed into, without a careful and thorough consideration of, among other factors, the allocation of resources. This is to ensure that the limited resources for education are used on the most cost effective and competitive education items. "

"The EC supports the EMB in studying the issue of small class teaching to assess its benefits and to identify the support necessary for maximizing benefits," Dr. Wong continued.

"We hope that the community can be patient in this regard and trust that it will place the needs and interests of the pupils as the primary consideration in determining the priority of policies," she emphasized.

Ends/Wednesday, 1 December, 2004