EDUCATION
examinations. The total public budget for education in 1991-2 was $20,400 million. An unknown, but certainly very large, additional amount was spent privately on education.
Community Participation
Members of the community play an important part in the planning, development and management of the education system at all levels, sitting on advisory bodies such as the Education Commission, Board of Education, Curriculum Development Council, UPGC, and Research Grants Council; on executive bodies like the VTC, HKEA and HKCAA; on management committees of schools, and on the governing bodies of tertiary institutions.
The Education Commission
The Education Commission is the highest advisory body on education. It advises the government on the development of the education system in the light of community needs. Its terms of reference are to define overall objectives; to formulate policy and recommend priorities for implementation, having regard to the resources available; to co-ordinate and monitor the planning and development of education at all levels, and to initiate educational research.
The commission has 14 members of whom 12, including the chairman, are appointed from outside the government to bring a wide range of personal and professional experience to bear on the issues under review. They include the chairmen of the Board of Education, UPGC and VTC. The two government members are the Secretary for Education and Manpower, who is vice-chairman, and the Director of Education.
During the year, the commission worked on its fifth report, dealing with the teaching profession. Issues examined included teacher education, the future of the colleges of education and the ILE, and their relationship with the tertiary institutions.
The Board of Education
The Board is a statutory body appointed to advise the Governor on education. Its focus is on the implementation of approved policies and the need for new or modified policies at the school level. Its membership includes the chairmen of other advisory and executive bodies concerned with the school system: the Curriculum Development Council, the HKEA, the Private Schools Review Committee, and advisory committees on School Guidance and Support Services, School Administration and Finance, and School Allocation Systems. Other members have experience in kindergartens, special schools, school administration, vocational training, tertiary education, business and the pro- fessions. Two government officials sit on the board: the Director of Education as vice- chairman, and the Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower.
The Curriculum Development Council
Reviews of the curriculum are co-ordinated by the CDC, supported by the department's advisory inspectorate. Curriculum guides, which provide broad guidance for developing subject syllabuses in compatible directions, are being prepared for each level. Syllabuses at primary and secondary levels have been consolidated, while syllabus development progressed well for the sixth form, which from 1992 will comprise a standard two-year course with a broader range of subjects. Syllabuses for 16 Advanced and Advanced Supplementary subjects were developed by the year's end.
125