HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
18 October 1989
香港立法局
————一九八九年十月十八日
31
In government schools the vacancy rate has remained fairly stable over the past three years. On 1 September this year there were 104 vacancies against an approved establishment of 3 240 teaching posts, giving a vacancy rate of 3.2%. This is an improvement on the corresponding figure for last year, which was just over 4%.
From these figures it seems clear that the shortage of teachers is by no means as critical a problem as the question implies, and as recent press reports of union claims have suggested. Nevertheless a shortage does exist, and no one can be complacent about the need both to retain experienced teachers and to attract able people into the profession. This is particularly so at a time of full employment, when other career opportunities are increasing and the number of young people reaching school-leaving age is declining.
As regards the likely future supply of qualified school teachers, although applications for places in the colleges of education have been declining over the past three years, they still greatly exceed the places available. This year there were more than four applicants for every full-time place. For part-time courses about 17% of applications from serving teachers had to be turned away. On the other hand, enrolment on post-graduate teacher training courses at the two universities has this year fallen slightly below the number of places available, for the first time.
Sir, the overall figures I have given conceal certain problem areas to which we are giving attention. For example, schools in the New Territories tend to employ a higher proportion of teachers with non-standard qualifications than schools in the urban areas. There may be a need to offer more conveniently- located training opportunities in the New Territories, to help such teachers become properly qualified. Also, certain subjects are short of qualified teachers, but we are considering the expansion of training activity where appropriate.
Sir, the Education Commission intends to investigate the role of the colleges of education in relation to the teaching profession. I expect that comprehensive advice on the subject will emerge in the commission's fifth report, which should be published towards the end of next year.
MR. DAVID CHEUNG: Sir, in his reply the Secretary indicated that it is important to retain experienced teachers and to attract able persons into the profession. In view of the declining number of university graduates choosing to join the teaching profession, will the Secretary inform this Council whether Government considers the present package in terms of salary, benefits and working conditions attractive enough to draw young people into the profession and to retain experienced teachers?