The following is issued on behalf of the Education Commission:

The Education Commission (EC) at its meeting today (Thursday) discussed the consultation document on the Review of the Education Department (ED).

The Chairman, Mr Antony Leung, said: "On the whole, we support the main thrust and spirit of the consultants' major recommendations, which should help streamline the organisational structure and improve the management practice of ED, promote a culture of service in the department, enhance its professional credentials and devolve more authority with accountability to schools."

"Besides, we also strongly agree that there should be more interchanges of personnel and experience between the school sector and the department.

"We will submit our views to the Government for consideration shortly," Mr Leung said.

EC today also discussed the ways to facilitate the development of quality private schools for local students.

The Chairman said: "To meet the changing needs of the community, we agree that more flexibility in school-based development and more educational choices should be provided to parents and students.

"We welcome efforts by the Government to facilitate the expansion of diversity and choices to meet the different educational needs of our younger generation," he added.

EC also noted the progress report of the Quality Education Fund Steering Committee, and that the Steering Committee would review its experience in the first call of applications in September 1998.

Ends/Thursday, August 27, 1998