The following is issued on behalf of the Education Commission:

The Education Commission (EC) reviewed the progress of the current public consultation on the proposed framework for education reform at its meeting today (Monday).

Mr Antony Leung, the EC Chairman, said, "Apart from the public forum and six topical seminars organized by the EC, we have so far attended over one hundred consultation sessions, including media interviews as well as meetings, seminars and forums organized by various sectors of the community, in particular the education sector, at their own initiatives."

"It is also very encouraging to note that some schools have included our proposed framework for education reform as one of the topics for discussion in classes. We have received over 80 submissions from students in one single school. It is really a good example and I hope that other schools will also actively encourage their students to participate in the consultation," Mr Leung said.

"So far, we have received a lot of comments on our proposed overall direction and principles for education reform. It would be very useful if members of the public would also provide us with their views and suggestions on our proposed framework with respect to different aspects of the education system, such as the academic structure, curriculum, assessment mechanisms and admission systems.

"This would help to form the basis upon which we would proceed to formulate the concrete reform proposals during the third stage of the review," Mr Leung said.

The notes on the discussion made at the six topical seminars are being uploaded to the EC website (http://www.e-c.edu.hk) for public information.

Ends/Monday, November 29, 1999