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Language Education, and encouraging schools, parents and students to make better use of the mass media, particularly English and Putonghua television and radio programmes, as a resource for language learning. The EMB will continue to explore further measures with different stakeholders to build an environment that is conducive to language learning.
Further Development of the Qualifications Framework
Individual learners, be they students or workers, need help in mapping out their route to lifelong learning and the Qualifications Framework provides the infrastructure for those learning pathways. For the framework to be successful, it is essential for the EMB to work closely with various stakeholders, including employers, employees, professional bodies, and education and training providers.
The EMB, which will set up more ITACs in phases, is also assisting the ITACS in the development of the specifications for competency standards which will set out the standards required of employees in the relevant industries. The bureau is also developing a recognition of prior learning mechanism in consultation with the industries which have developed their specifications.
Subject to the enactment of the Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications Ordinance, the HKCAA will be responsible for the quality assurance of qualifications under the framework. It will also be responsible for maintaining the Qualifications Register, a free, web-based database of information on qualifications and training providers recognised under the framework. Learners can make informed choices of learning programmes, and employers can choose suitable training programmes for employees according to the needs of the industries.
Comprehensive Review of Special Education
The EMB started a comprehensive review of special education provision in Hong Kong in December 2005 to ensure effective learning for students with SEN under the new academic structure. The review will look at the existing service delivery, the impact of resources, and the perceived outcome in both special and ordinary school settings. The aim is to identify problems and propose improvement measures to support the development of integrated education and equal opportunity and full participation for disabled students.
The review, which will include research and study trips to keep abreast of standards worldwide, parallels other studies such as that on curriculum development for students with intellectual disability and the effectiveness of special schools in resource management.
Review of the Post-secondary Education Sector
In the 2005-06 academic year, the post-secondary education participation rate reached 66 per cent, well above the Government's 60 per cent objective. The Government initiated a review of the post-secondary education sector in August and established a steering committee of service provider representatives, quality assurance agencies and members of the community to oversee it.