Hong Kong Higher Education Reform Research Project
A joint research project on public policy with regard to post junior secondary and higher education reform

Press Release Summaries
education commission

20.01.2003 Appointments to Education Commission

• Statement from Arthur LI, SEM, about the recent merger of the EC and BoE and the broadening of the EC to include the former Board of Education Chairman, representatives of the main school councils and the Home School Cooperation Committee.
  
  
• Contains list of new members with short sketches of each.

02.01.2003 Education Commission welcomes the SCOLAR's consultation document on language education review

• Wong Yick-Ming (Rosanna) emphasizes SCOLAR's recommendations for
  
  
  • the setting language competence levels for both students and adults, and
  • improving student motivation.
    
    
• Emphasizes language reform as a key part of education reform and reaffirms the often stated policy of a biliterate and trilingual population as necessary for Hong Kong's "continued success and competitiveness".

27.11.2002 Education Commission welcomes the Government's decision on Higher Education Review

• Wong Y M announces that the government has received UGC's report entitled Higher Education Review and has accepted most of its recommendations. Which recommendations the government has declined are not mentioned. Who the government is in this context is also unclear. Presumably it is the Secretary of Education and Manpower to whom the EC reports.
  
  
• She emphasizes the diversified and interlinked system of higher education which the recommednations apparently encourage.
  
  
• She praises the enhanced talent and skills that these recommendations will bring in younger generations.

26.03.2002 Education Commission welcomes UGC Report on Higher Education Review

• Wong Y M announces receipt of the UGC's Higher Education Review.
  
  
• She emphasizes the need to confront change in the 21st century and to achieve excellence.
  
  
• She praises the report as a tool for community deliberation and the intention of the EC to consider the report carefully in coordination with UGC.

25.01.2002 Education Commission releases first Progress Report on Education Reform

• Outlines progress with regard to reform recommendations submitted in the fall of 2000 by the commission to the government (presumably under Anthony Leung's leadership)
  
  
• The release emphasizes
  
  
  • coordination work (a primary responsibility of the commission) between the commission and advisory bodies and implementing agencies, as well as
  • the importance of transparency and dialogue with the larger community.
    
    
• The following points are discussed with regard to the seven key areas
  
  
  • reform progress over the previous year
  • an implementation plan for the future, and
  • a list of percentage improvements with regard to government expenditure on education, participation rates in higher education, and primary and secondary school teacher qualifications.
    
    
• Also mentioned in the release are high levels of teacher and principal participation, the abolishment of the Academic Aptitude Test, and greater educational diversification with regard to curriculum, teaching modes, and educational structure.
  
  
• A statement with regard to what needs to be reviewed in the future including further review of language education, senior secondary academic structure, the future development of post-secondary and continuing education, and higher education.

22.11.2001 Education Commission discusses progress of Education Reform

• A summar of the commission's November meeting.
  
  
• Mention is made of the EC's three work groups on senior secondary and continuing education.
  
  
• The number of primary and secondary schools that participated in seed projects with regard to improved curriculum and teaching methods are provided.
  
  
• More than 3500 teachers and principals participated in the knowledge fair "Learning to Learn - Assessment for Learning" was discussed.
  
  
• SCOLAR receives brief mention. The EC's intention to provide a progress report in January is also mentioned.

05.07.2001 Appointments to the Education Commission

• A list of appointments and reappointments to the Education Commission with brief resumes of each new member.
  
  
• A list of the ex-officio members by title and institution is also included.

29.06.2001 The Education Commission Consolidates Seven Key Areas of Actions under the Blueprint for Education Reform

• A report on the June meeting.
  
  
• Emphasis on the commissions's coordinating and monitoring role with regard to the implementation of education reforms.
  
  
• Emphasis is on life-long learning, all-round development, and more student-focused teaching and learning.
  
  
• The seven key areas of education reform are introduced including return
  
  
  • language education
  • curriculum reform
  • support for schools
  • professional development
  • admission systems
  • assessment mechanisms
  • increase of post-secondary education opportunities
    
    
• The EC identified the executive and advisory bodies responsible for each of the above reform areas. The bodies are not listed.
  
  
• The body or party that overseas each of the above reform areas will formulate a work plan and report to the EC on a regular basis.
  
  
• The EC will coordinate the activities among the aforementioned bodies and report their results to the government.
  
  
• The EC itself is conducting a review of the academic structure for senior secondary education and the development of post-secondary and continuing education.
  
  
• The Education Department and Social Welfare Department are reviewing reforms with regard to the unification of kindergartens and child-care centres.

12.04.2001 Appointment of new chairman of the Education Commission

• The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, appoints Wong Yick Ming as Chairman of the Education Commission. She replaces Antony Leung.
  
  
• Ms Wong is praised for her experience in youth affairs and public service.
  
  
• Anthony Leung is thanked for completing EC's comprehensive review of Hong Kong's education system.