WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1994
UNIFICATION OF PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES
I NOW TURN TO THE PROPOSAL TO UNIFY PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES.
THE QUESTION OF UNIFICATION OF KINDERGARTENS AND CHILD CARE CENTRES WAS CONSIDERED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER 1989 IN THE CONTEXT OF EXAMINING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 2. THE VIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATION THEN WAS THAT CHILD CARE CENTRES AND KINDERGARTENS SERVED DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS. IN THE CASE OF CHILD CARE CENTRES, THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE WAS TO PROVIDE CARE FOR AND TO MEET THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF THE VERY YOUNG CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS CANNOT LOOK AFTER THEM DURING THE DAY. IN THE CASE OF KINDERGARTENS, THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS то PROVIDE PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION, ALBEIT OF AN INFORMAL AND NON-ACADEMIC KIND. THIS ROLE DIFFERENTIATION REMAINS A REALITY AT PRESENT.
TO FOLLOW UP THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 2, A WORKING PARTY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1990, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, TO ADVISE ON IMPROVEMENTS TO KINDERGARTENS AND ON THE PRACTICALITIES OF UNIFYING ALL PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES. AS STATED IN ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE, PRIORITY WAS GIVEN TO IMPROVEMENTS TO KINDERGARTENS AS THE LATTER IS A LONG-TERM GOAL. AS A RESULT, THE WORKING PARTY HAS YET TO LOOK AT THE PRACTICALITIES OF UNIFICATION.
AIM
UNIFICATION OF PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES IN TERMS OF COMMON REGULATORY STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS, FINANCING MODE, STAFF QUALIFICATION AND SALARY, STAFF TRAINING PROGRAMME AND CURRICULUM WILL HAVE WIDE IMPLICATIONS ON BOTH TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS. THIS IS RECOGNISED BY SUCCESSIVE WORKING PARTIES APPOINTED TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE. INVARIABLY, THEY HAVE CONCLUDED THAT UNIFICATION SHOULD BE APPROACHED WITH GREAT CARE AND THAT IT SHOULD BE A LONG-TERM GOAL. IRRESPECTIVE OF THESE PAST STUDIES, WE SEE THE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS DIFFICULT ISSUE EARLY AS WE SEEK FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE KINDERGARTEN SECTOR. WE HAVE THEREFORE DECIDED TO TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. IN THIS REGARD, THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE AD HOC SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ON PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION SHOULD SERVE AS A GOOD STARTING POINT. AS MEMBERS MAY BE AWARE, THIS SUB-COMMITTEE HAS RECOMMENDED THAT PRIORITY CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMON CURRICULUM COMPRISING BOTH EDUCATION AND CARE; THE PROVISION OF COMMON TEACHER TRAINING COURSES; AND THE NARROWING OF THE GAP IN THE STANDARDS OF PROVISION APPLICABLE TO BOTH KINDERGARTENS AND CHILD CARE CENTRES. THESE SOUND REASONABLE STARTING POINTS. I SHALL THEREFORE ASK THE SAID WORKING PARTY ΤΟ START WORK ON THESE ISSUES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, WE SHALL STRENGTHEN THE WORKING PARTY BY APPOINTING ΤΟ IT FOUR ADDITIONAL MEMBERS, NAMELY
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*
ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AS CO- CHAIRMAN;
TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CHILD CARE SECTOR; AND
ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH.
/THESE ADDITIONAL
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