32
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1977
PUBLIC CONTROL AND CO-ORDINATION OF PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS ******
THE TIME HAS COME TO ESTABLISH A SINGLE BODY. BROADLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY, TO ENSURE THAT PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT KINDS OF PUBLIC CONTROL AND CO-ORDINATION, SAID THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY, WHEN HE MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY BILL 1977 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON.
THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS, UNDER WHICH THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND A DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SEPARATELY PROVIDE EXAMINATIONS, +ARE FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW NO LONGER SATISFACTORY,+ HE SAID.
THE PROPOSED AUTHORITY MR. TOPLEY SAID, +WILL BE ABLE TO HOLD IN VIEW OF THE NEEDS OF THE VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS, THE GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL POLICY, AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS.+
THIS IS A TASK CALLING FOR THE ASSEMBLY, UNDER A SINGLE AEGIS, OF A WIDE VARIETY OF PERSONS, NOT ALL OF THEM ENGAGED IN EDUCATION.
THERE WILL BE FIVE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS AND BETWEEN 17 AND 20 OTHER MEMBERS, INCLUDING THREE EXPERIENCED IN COMMERCE OR INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
MR. TOPLEY SAID THE AUTHORITY +WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY BREADTH OF VISION AND HOLD A PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN GENERAL AND PARTICULAR INTERESTS, IT WILL ALSO BE ABLE IN DUE COURSE TO BRING ABOUT A CO-ORDINATED AND CONSISTENT APPROACH TO THE WHOLE FIELD OF PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS, AVOIDING ADMINISTRATIVE WASTE AND SPREADING THE BENEFITS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE MORE WIDELY.
+I SHOULD ADD THAT, SINCE IT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO AVOID DISRUPTIONS AND OPERATIONAL BREAKDOWNS, THIS RATIONALISATION MUST BE ACHIEVED CAREFULLY AND OVER A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME.+
THE AUTHORITY WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNMENT ITS BUDGETS, AND IN PARTICULAR ITS FEE-PROPOSALS, FOR APPROVAL.
THE DIRECTOR SAID: THE ACTIVITIES AND PLANS OF THE AUTHORITY, THEREFORE, WILL BE MONITORED BY THE GOVERNMENT, BOTH FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF HARMONY WITH GENERAL EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND FROM THAT OF THE RESTRAINT OF CANDIDATES' FEES TO A REASONABLE LEVEL.+
THE OPPORTUNITY WOULD BE TAKEN, SUBJECT TO FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL, TO EXTEND TO THE SIXTH FORM EXAMINATIONS THE FEE-REMISSION NOW AVAILABLE ONLY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
/+IT IS