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education in the early 1980s, the Education Commission
published its findings in its fourth report in November. Wide-ranging recommendations on reforming the curriculum, introducing assessment standards and associated tests, enhancing student counselling, implementing whole-day schooling for senior primary classes and setting out a new approach for the adoption of an appropriate medium of instruction for schools, are currently the subject of public consultation. These measures, if accepted, will improve the quality of primary and secondary education in the coming
decade.
45. The year also saw vigourous efforts to implement the 100 initiatives set out in the 1989 White Paper on Pollution. Cleaner air resulted from more stringent legislation compelling factories to reduce the sulphur
content of fuel oil. Control of factory and vehicle smoke emissions was tightened, and planning was well advanced for the introduction of unleaded petrol in early 1991.
46. The Water Pollution Control (Amendment) Ordinance was brought into operation on 1 December, imposing stricter
controls and new standards on industrial discharges. As
part of the Waste Disposal Plan, the first Refuse Transfer Station opened at Kowloon Bay, thus permitting the closure
of an urban landfill and an incinerator. A contract was
also awarded for the establishment of a Chemical Waste
Treatment Centre.
47.
In a wider environmental context, the international ban on ivory trading which came into force on 18 January 1990 severly affected workers and traders in ivory. It was
necessary for Her Majesty's Government to enter a six-month
reservation on Hong Kong's behalf to allow more time for the orderly disposal of the local stock of legally-acquired ivory and for retraining ivory workers. Since 17 July 1990, however, Hong Kong has complied fully with the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
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