The following is issued on behalf of the Education Commission:

The Chairman of the Education Commission (EC), Mr Antony Leung, announced today (Wednesday) the launching of a public consultation exercise on the proposed framework for education reform. The consultation will last until December 15. A consultation pamphlet, entitled "Review of Education System: Framework for Education Reform", outlining the EC's proposed framework for education reform is issued.

Explaining the background of the review at a press conference, Mr Leung said that the Chief Executive in his first Policy Address has asked the EC to undertake a comprehensive review of the overall education system in Hong Kong to examine how it should develop into the 21st Century.

Due to the wide scope of the review and the complexity of the issues involved, the EC decided to conduct the review in three stages. The focus of the first stage was on the aims of education for Hong Kong in the 21st Century. The public consultation on this stage of the review was conducted from January to March this year.

"The first consultation exercise has successfully stimulated public participation in the review of the education system. There was general consensus on the proposed aims of education for Hong Kong - to help each individual student to develop his/her potential to the full according to his/her characteristics. There was also strong support for undertaking education reforms," Mr Leung said.

"On the basis of the comments received during the last consultation, the EC has embarked on the second stage of the review to examine how the existing academic structure, the curricula and the assessment mechanisms at various stages of education could be improved to meet the aims of education for the 21st Century.

"Hong Kong, like other parts of the world, is undergoing fundamental changes in the structure of its society. Knowledge has become an essential element of our daily lives and economic activities. To cope with this trend of development and the rapid pace of change, every individual must pursue learning continuously throughout his/her life.

"Therefore the main themes of our proposed framework for the education reform is 'Learning for life'. The framework we are now putting forward aims to help each individual lay a sound foundation for lifelong learning and to bring new learning opportunities for people in Hong Kong," he said.

Mr Leung also said that during the consultation period, the EC will hold a large forum and six seminars on specific topics to discuss the reform direction and proposals with the public. He and members of the EC would also meet different bodies representing different sectors of the community to listen to their views.

"The success of the education reform relies on the participation and support of the whole community. We appeal to all members of the public to take part in this review and contribute their views on the proposed framework," Mr Leung said.

"After completing this public consultation, the EC will immediately start the third stage of the review. We will consider the views received from the public and draw up reform proposals on the academic structure, the curricula and the assessment mechanisms and propose the priorities. The EC will then consult the public again.

"We expect to complete the whole review and submit our recommendations to the Chief Executive by the middle of next year," he added.

The consultation pamphlet is available on the EC's website (http://www.e-c.edu.hk). The printing work is now underway. Copies of the pamphlets will be available at all District Offices, District Education Offices of the Education Department and public libraries by the end of September. Comments before December 15 are welcome.

Papers issued by the EC working groups and sub-groups on specific topics related to the framework for education reform to facilitate discussion at the topical seminars will be uploaded to the EC website in the next few weeks and distributed at the respective seminars.

The revised proposed aims of education, which has taken into account comments received from the public during the last consultation, are also available at the EC website.

Besides, since we have received very enthusiastic responses for the large public forum to be held on September 23, the venue will be changed to Exhibition Hall 7, seventh floor, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai.

As part of the review of the education system, the EC is examining the area of special education and commissioning a consultant to undertake a study on integration. The report is expected to be completed in November. After considering the results of the study, the EC will formulate its proposals on how to cater for students' special education needs. The public will be consulted after the above work is completed.

Ends/Wednesday, September 22, 1999