EDUCATION
The Vocational Training Council Ordinance covers technical colleges, technical institutes, training centres, and skills centres for the disabled. The Post-Secondary Colleges Ordinance covers institutions offering post-secondary courses outside the tertiary sector. The Education Scholarships Fund Ordinance provides for the administration of many scholarships donated by members of the public.
The Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation took effect from June 20, 1997, to provide greater consumer protection. A registration system was introduced to regulate the quality of courses conducted in Hong Kong which would lead to the award of non-local higher academic or professional qualifications. Advertisements, refund and premises in respect of such courses are subject to regulation.
The Government's Role
The Secretary for Education and Manpower, who heads the Education and Manpower Bureau of the Government Secretariat, formulates and reviews education policy, secures funds in the government budget, and oversees the effective implementation of educational programmes.
The Director of Education, who heads the Education Department, implements educational policies at kindergarten, primary and secondary levels. The Education Department's main responsibilities include the provision and allocation of public sector school places; provision of educational opportunities for children with special educational needs; developing school curricula; monitoring teaching standards; and administering public funding to schools. The department also contributes to policy development and review.
Education-related Executive and Advisory Bodies
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, executive bodies, management committees of schools and governing bodies of tertiary institutions. Public views are sought on major changes to existing policies/practices and new policies in education through extensive consultation exercises and regular policy fora.
Education Commission
The commission advises the government on the development of education as a whole in the light of community needs. Its terms of reference are to define overall educational objectives, formulate education policy, and recommend priorities for implementation, having regard to resources available; co-ordinate and monitor the planning and development of education at all levels; and initiate educational research. It has 21 members, of whom 19, including the chairman, are appointed from outside the government to bring a wide range of personal and professional experience to its deliberations. They include the chairmen of the Advisory Committee on Teacher Education and Qualifications, the Board of Education, the University Grants Committee and the Vocational Training Council. Others include educators and administrators from the tertiary, secondary, primary and pre-primary sectors, a member of the Provisional Legislative Council, and representatives from the business
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