24-
Directors; the SDM normally take place every two weeks, when decisions
are taken as to whether the recommendations of the DPC should be followed
up and if so what priority and timing should be accorded to them within
the departmental schedule of work.
4.26
Depending on the nature and complexity of the item, a decision
is taken at the SDM on the extent to which consultation will be necessary
or desirable. On matters other than those related to the day-to-day
management and administration of schools, including specific individual
cases which are the proper concern of the Director of Education, the
Board of Education will normally be consulted. On matters directly
affecting schools one or more of the various schools councils will also
be consulted, as appropriate, together with any specialist advisory bodies
with an interest to take a hypothetical example, a plan (say) to
include moral education in the secondary school curriculum would be
referred to the Board, to the schools councils representing the schools
concerned, to some of the major school sponsors and perhaps to religious
organisations. Lists of the major sponsors and councils are appended
(appendix K).
4.27
Beyond this stage, planning then proceeds according to the
-
routines already described in consultation with the policy and resource
branches, memoranda seeking approval for activities are submitted to the
Executive Council and to the Finance Committee where necessary,
or action
is taken administratively by the Director, with activities programmed
into the Development Plan, the Five-Year Forecast and the Draft Estimates
of Revenue and Expenditure. The flow-chart (B) at appendix F traces
the normal progression of business.
4.28
An alternative planning device used by many government departments
is the Programme Plan, which is rolled forward every year, its targets
updated in the light of annual progress. In presentation, a Programme
Plan closely follows the format of the programmes in the Development
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