C.S. 166
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
5
XCC(75)42
This first stage, therefore, is essentially a planning exercise and is expected to last six months.
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The second stage would begin with the creation, by statute, of the PEA. This body would take the plans formulated during the planning stage towards fruition so that, at the end of its life (say two years), it would have built up an adequate capability for its permanent successor, the IEA. The PEA's principal activities are expected to
be:
(a)
(b)
transferring responsibility for conducting examina- tions from the Education Department and the universities to itself;
employing staff (to replace seconded staff gradually) and laying down terms and conditions of service;
(c)
setting up its paying, accounting and revenue- collecting machinery;
(d)
acquiring suitable accommodation;
(e)
entering into contracts for the supply of goods and services;
(f)
drawing up a bill for the incorporation of its
successor;
(g)
carrying out any directions given to it by the Governor.
It is possible, but not advisable, to dispense with a transitional or Provisional Authority stage. Careful arrangements would have to be made to ensure that examination syllabuses accorded with educational practice in schools and it seems obvious that the university entrance examinations should be brought under the PEA's control before they could be replaced with a unified examination. Careful arrangements would also need to be made to ensure that seconded staff can either join the examination authority's service or return to useful jobs with their parent organisations.
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Legislation. The Hartwell Committee has drawn up a draft constitution for the Independent Examinations Authority. This will need to be backed by legislation. At the present time public examinations do not have the backing of law because they are known to be conducted under the auspices of the Government and the univer - sities. Once this responsibility is transferred it will be necessary
CONFIDENTIAL
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