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XXD
Education
WITHIN the Government Secretariat, policy responsibility for education matters rests with the Secretary for Education and Manpower. A number of bodies are, however, involved in an executive or advisory capacity in the administration and development of the educa- tional system.
Education Commission
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In the light of recommendations made in the report of a visiting panel of educational experts published in November 1982, an Education Commission was established in April 1984. Its overall objective is to provide the Governor with consolidated advice on the development of the educational system as a whole, in the light of the needs of the community.
The terms of reference of the Education Commission are: to define overall educational objectives, formulate education policy, and recommend priorities for implementation, having regard to resources available; to co-ordinate and monitor the planning and development of education at all levels; and to initiate educational research.
The purpose
of the commission is to co-ordinate but not to seek to direct the work of the Board of Education, the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee and the Vocational Training Council.
The commission is composed of 14 members. Eleven of these, including the chairman, are non-government members appointed with a view to ensuring that a broad range of personal and professional experience is brought to bear upon the issues before the commission. Included among these, ex-officio, are the chairmen of the Board of Education, the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee and the Vocational Training Council. The three remaining members are government officials - the Secretary for Education and Manpower (who is vice-chairman), the Deputy Financial Secretary and the Director of Education.
The commission's first report was published in October 1984. Its second report was submitted to the Executive Council in September, 1986. The report contained far-reaching recommendations with regard to the structure of the sixth-form, kindergarten education, teacher preparation, open education and the financing of educational provision. It was subsequently published for public consultation and had attracted a substantial number of comments by the end of the year.
Board of Education
The Board of Education, formed in 1920, is a statutory advisory body established under the Education Ordinance to advise the Governor on educational matters. Of the 18 members appointed by the Governor, 16, including the chairman, are non-government members.