12
When comments on the report have been received from the UPGC, from the team conducting the overall review of education and from the Government Secretariat, it will be clear whether the recommendations put forward by the Committee are generally acceptable or whether important modifications are required. If they are found to be generally acceptable, then it is proposed that the report should be published together with a statement indicating that the recommendations are now part of Government policy and will be implemented. If modifications to certain recommendations are felt to be desirable, then the covering statement could indicate the changes that will be made or alternatively the Committee could be reconvened for the purpose of considering whether to make such modifications to the report itself. However, if there are serious reservations about important aspects of the report, then it might be confusing to publish both the report and a conflicting statement of Government policy. If such circumstances were to arise, it is proposed that the report should not be published and that the Government should instead issue its own policy statement for the development of tertiary education in the form of a white paper. Council will be consulted about the appropriate course of action.
Publicity and public relations
13
As a decision on whether to publish the report is to be deferred, the appropriate publicity can be determined at a later stage. However, there has been considerable public interest in the work of the Committee and, as the published terms of reference refer to a report being completed within six months, there may be some public concern over the delay in publishing the report and speculation over its contents. In these circumstances, Government spokesmen would explain that the Committee has submitted its report, which is now being discussed with the UPGC before policy on the development of tertiary education is decided.
Advice sought
14
Members are asked to note the contents of the report of the Committee to Review Post-Secondary and Technical Education and to advise:
(i)
whether the Committee's recommendations are acceptable as a basis for discussion (paragraphs 2-7); and
(ii)
whether the report should be processed in the manner proposed in paragraphs 8-12.
(The Secretary for Social Services (Mr E. P. HO), the Secretary for Education (Mr K. W. J. TOPLEY) and the Director of Education (Mr C. H. HAYE) will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item).
2nd July 1981
(CR 50/2041/80)
COUNCIL CHAMBER
G.S. 166
CONFIDENTIAL #