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Chapter 7
Education
The Government recognises that education plays a vital role in Hong Kong's development. Reforms are therefore carried out whenever and wherever they are needed to ensure students are in step with changing global dynamics. Lifelong learning is just one of many initiatives taken that are already showing rewarding results.
To keep pace with developments in the fast-changing world and with the needs of society in the 21st century, Hong Kong's education system must keep up with changes. The Education Commission (EC) in its Reform Proposals for the Education System in Hong Kong, announced in September 2000, made 'Learning for Life, Learning through Life' a mission.
Since October 2000, Hong Kong has been carrying out a series of reforms to enhance the quality of education, emphasising diversity, lifelong learning, multiple progression pathways, professionalism, quality assurance, school-based management and accountability. These goals are spelt out in the Education Reform blueprint.
Key Achievements in 2006
Pre-primary Education
The Chief Executive announced in his policy address 2006-07 a major financial commitment to further improve the quality of pre-primary education with the introduction of the Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme in the 2007-08 school year. The scheme provides a fee subsidy for parents to enrol their children in kindergarten and financial support to teachers for professional upgrading. For each child older than two years and eight months attending a local non-profit-making (NPM) kindergarten or relevant classes in a local NPM kindergarten-cum-child care centre, a subsidy of $10,000 will be given in the 2007-08 school year. The sum will be increased progressively up to $16,000 in the 2011-12 school year. Under the scheme, kindergarten teachers and principals will receive financial assistance up to the 2011-12 school year to support their professional development. The goal is to upgrade serving kindergarten teachers and principals to the level of a Certificate in