8
Replying to critics of the curriculum, Mr Kwan said as far as management approach in the implementation of TOC was concerned, the Education Department specified the aims and objectives and allowed schools to choose their own procedures to meet the aims and objectives.
"We have full confidence in the professionalism of Hong Kong teachers and believe that for well qualified professionals, the best approach to motivate them is to give them as much freehand as possible," he said.
"Front-line teachers know their students best. Therefore, we leave the organisation and pace of teaching to teachers so they can choose approaches and strategies that best fit the needs of their students to achieve the highest efficiency.
"The department will continue to provide examples and backup materials for reference by schools and teachers."
Mr Kwan added that active participation and collaboration from schools was essential for TOC to succeed.
On the call for more piloting before full implementation of TOC, Mr Kwan said in fact TOC had been tried out in the last three years and according to suggestions, it would take a long time to implement TOC in all schools and there would be confusion in the transition when, for example, Primary Six leavers were selected for secondary school admission.
Mr Kwan said TOC would initially be adopted in the three core subjects of Chinese, English and Mathematics. It will be implemented in Primary 1 classes of 76 schools in 1995, extending to all Primary I classes in 1996.
TOC will be implemented in Primary 1 and 2 of all schools in 1997. Thereafter, TOC will gradually be extended to all primary classes.
years.
Mr Kwan thanked staff of schools who helped develop TOC over the past three
He also invited members of the public to visit the roving exhibition on TOC, the opening of which will be officiated by the Director of Education, Mr W K Lam, and other educationists, including representatives of major sponsors of schools.
The opening ceremony will take place on Saturday (March 4) at second floor of Cityplaza II. Taikoo Shing, and the exhibition thereafter will be staged in four other popular arcades throughout the territory over a total period of 10 days.
End/Thursday, March 2, 1995