140
-
perform the managerial functions of these posts a basic educational background above that of school certificate level is required.
(d) The senior ranks of the Health Inspector grade are
required to perform a managerial role and to supervise officers in other grades, the entry qualification to some of which is matriculation or degree, e.g. Executive Officers or Amenities Officers. At Chief Inspector or Superintendent level, members of the Health Inspectorate are in overall charge of all the services provided by the Urban Services Department in a district.
(e)
(f)
The minimum age for the award of the Diploma for Public Health Inspection for General Overseas Appointments is 21. Candidates are therefore not usually selected for appointment below the age of 19, that is to say, sometime after the age at which school certificate is taken but when most
matriculants leave school.
In the United Kingdom and the United States and other advanced countries, the Health Inspector is re-designated as Environmental Health Officer whose appointment requires a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science plus practical training.
It was also brought to our attention that in May 1978 the Health Inspectors Training Board proposed that the educational standard for Student Health Inspector should be raised to matriculation.
We have summarised the principal points related to the Health Inspectors' claim in some detail since they indicate why their case appeared deserving of further consideration. However, investigation has shown that the Health Inspectors' case is not as straightforward as it first appeared.
In brief, the Health Inspectors' case for the upgrading of their entry qualification from school certificate to matriculation is based on two main arguments: first, the need for matriculation to pass their required examinations; second, the need for a higher basic educational background to perform the managerial functions of the senior ranks of the grade.
As far as the first point is concerned the records of the last five years show that over 90% of the school certificate students passed the first Diploma examination to qualify for appointment as Health Inspectors. We were advised that those who failed in their first attempt may resit the examination. During the same period, over 80% of Health Inspectors with school certificate background