EDUCATION
Following a review commissioned by the HKEA on the public examination system, a number of changes will be implemented in stages in the HKALE and HKCEE in the coming years. With effect from 2002, fine grades will be abolished and the results of HKCEE and HKALE will be reported in six grades only. The Teacher Assessment Scheme (TAS) will be extended to more HKALE subjects starting from the 2002-03 school year. The core-competence approach for HKCEE large-entry subjects and how to allow Secondary 6 students to sit for the HKALE are being studied. The HKEA will also examine the Education Commission's other recommendations for reforming the public examination system.
Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation
Established by the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation (HKCAA) Ordinance in 1990, the HKCAA is an independent statutory body with 20 members appointed by the Chief Executive, comprising senior academics and renowned professionals from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas countries. It is supported by a secretariat of full-time staff, plus more than 1 000 local and overseas experts in a great variety of subject disciplines, and has strong links with international and regional higher education accreditation authorities, including the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education.
Ever since its establishment in 1990, the HKCAA has been tasked to safeguard the quality and standards of degree programmes offered by local non-university institutions through two kinds of accreditation activities, namely institutional review and programme validation. In 2001, institutional reviews were conducted for the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Shue Yan College, and validations of degree programmes of these institutions and the Hong Kong Institute of Education,
The HKCAA's accreditation activity has been extended to cover sub-degree qualifications. Programme validations were conducted for the Higher Diploma programmes offered by the Caritas Francis Hsu College, subsequent to an assessment of the College by the HKCAA for the purpose of registration under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320). The council's accreditation work on sub- degree programmes has been further expanded to support the Government's initiative to support the progressive increase in post-secondary education opportunities. The council has been invited to advise on the formulation of a set of common descriptors for Associate Degree and to accredit these sub-degree programmes at non-self- accrediting institutions. During the year, institutional reviews and programme validations were conducted for a number of self-financing post-secondary education programme providers and their Higher Diploma and Associate Degree programmes. Apart from local degrees and sub-degrees, the HKCAA continues to advise the Registrar of Non-local Courses on whether the non-local higher and professional courses applying for operation in Hong Kong can meet the registration criteria. stipulated by the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance. In addition, the council is also involved in the annual monitoring of the registered courses and in advising whether registration of the courses should be continued.
Upon request, the HKCAA offers advisory services to professional bodies, institutions and government departments in relation to accreditation, quality assurance and educational standards. During the year, the council also advised the
171