EDUCATION
Governing Bodies of Tertiary Institutions
Each tertiary institution has its own structure of governance, set out in its ordinance. The structure includes a governing body (called the court or the council), a body to regulate academic affairs (called the senate or the academic board) and in some cases, an executive body.
The Chief Executive of the HKSAR is empowered by the ordinances to appoint the chairman of each governing body, as well as a prescribed number of members. This ensures a balanced distribution of members from the industrial, commercial and academic fields.
Quality Assurance Inspections
To give impetus to the school improvement process, since September 1997 the Government has been conducting quality assurance inspections using the whole school approach. The inspections aim to provide the inspected schools with an external view on their strengths and areas for improvement and further development; the Government with information for disseminating good practices among schools; and the Government and the public with information on the current position regarding the overall quality of school education. At present, schools are inspected on a voluntary basis. From the 2001-02 school year, representative samples of schools will be selected for inspection.
In the 1997-98 and 1998-99 school years, 72 schools underwent quality assurance inspection. Performance indicators were developed to provide a basis for assessing schools' performance in schools' self-evaluation and inspections. In the 1999-2000 school year, some 40 more schools will be covered. Existing performance indicators are being refined and new ones developed.
Kindergartens
In September 1999, 169 130 children (mostly aged three to five) were enrolled in 763 kindergartens. Most kindergartens operate in half-day sessions.
The Government continues to promote the development of quality kindergarten education through upgrading the qualifications of kindergarten principals and teachers. By September 2000, all kindergartens will be required to employ at least 60 per cent professionally trained Qualified Kindergarten Teachers (QKTs). To improve the quality of kindergarten education at a faster rate, the target of requiring all newly appointed kindergarten principals to have completed the Certificate in Kindergarten Education or its equivalent has been advanced from September 2004 to September 2002.
A pamphlet has been published to advise parents on how they should choose a kindergarten. A list of 'do's' and 'don'ts' for kindergartens has been issued for reference by kindergartens in planning their curriculum. Profiles on key features of kindergartens will also be published for public reference.
The Kindergarten Subsidy Scheme was introduced in 1995 to help kindergartens meet the proportion of QKTs required without having to increase their fees substantially. Improvements have been made to the scheme from the 1998–99 school year. The subsidy is disbursed on a per class per annum basis to help minimise fluctuations in the level of assistance provided to kindergartens. To encourage kindergartens to employ more QKTs sooner than required in progressing towards the
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