(4)
SOCIAL PROGRAMME AREAS
53.
I come now
the pursuit of our long-term programmes health care, and community and
in education and housing, in
welfare services.
(a) Education
(i)
Overall review
54.
Our education system must keep pace with the changing needs and aspirations of our community. For this reason the Government in 1981 initiated an overall review of our education system, with the aim of assessing the inter-relationship of the various levels of education, and the effectiveness of each part of the education system.
55.
of
The international panel which conducted the review identified in its report
report five areas which required priority attention. These were the establishment of a comprehensive language policy for schools; the need to increase both the number and the quality of teachers; the improvement selection and allocation procedures to reduce the number and pressure of examinations; the provision of greater access to post-school education; and the establishment of the means of regular reviews of
reviews of the education system. As the report has
.
education
important implications for the whole future of policy, the Government decided that it should be published, and the views of the community sought, before any decisions. were taken on its recommendations.
56.
Since the report was published in May this year, it has been debated by
by this
this Council, and many individuals and organisations have submitted comments. The recommendations which have attracted most public comment and debate are those in respect of the language of instruction in schools; abolition of the Junior Secondary Education
Education Assessment; the incorporation of kindergartens into the aided
sector; better
/teacher
19