XN000022-1977-04-07 — Page 3

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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1977

APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY

THE AUTHORITY'S FIRST SECRETARY WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WHILE SUBSEQUENT APPOINTMENTS OF THE SECRETARY WILL BE MADE BY THE AUTHORITY. IT MAY BE DESIRABLE FOR THE FIRST SECRETARY TO BE AN OFFICER FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WITH EXPERIENCE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S PRESENT EXAMINATION RESPONSIBILITIES, THOUGH CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN ALSO TO OTHER SUITABLE CANDIDATES. IF AN OFFICER FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WERE APPOINTED, HE WOULD SERVE ON SECONDMENT FOR A TWO-YEAR OR THREE-YEAR PERIOD.

IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE A SETTING- UP GRANT TO THE AUTHORITY TO COVER THE PROVISION OF THE ACCOMMODATION NEEDED FOR EXAMINATIONS OFFICES, ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE HARBOUR, AND A CASH GRANT TO MEET THE COST OF FITTING OUT AND EQUIPPING THEM. APPROVAL OF THE GRANT WILL BE SOUGHT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

UNTIL THESE OFFICES ARE HANDED OVER TO THE AUTHORITY, ONE AND A HALF FLOORS OF OFFICE SPACE IN THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES NOW OCCUPIED BY THE EXAMINATIONS DIVISION WILL BE USED BY THE AUTHORITY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THIS OFFICE SPACE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

H.K. EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY BILL

A BILL TO SET UP THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 20 AND IT IS INTENDED THAT THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, IF PASSED, SHOULD COME INTO OPERATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THEREAFTER.

THE DECISION TO ESTABLISH THE AUTHORITY FOLLOWS CONSULTATIONS WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC, THE TERMS OF THE BILL AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED FOR THE AUTHORITY HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THESE INSTITUTIONS.

IT IS PLANNED THAT THE AUTHORITY SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FORMALLY BY SEPTEMBER 1, 1977 IN ORDER TO PROVIDE IT WITH SUFFICIENT TIME TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ADMINISTERING THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN 1978.

IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE AUTHORITY SHOULD TAKE OVER THE MATRICULATION EXAMINATION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG FROM 1979 AND THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY 'A' LEVEL EXAMINATION FROM 1980. SHOULD IT BE DECIDED TO INTRODUCE ANY FURTHER SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS, THE ORGANISATION WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPAND ACCORDINGLY.

EJ

THE AUTHORITY WILL ALSO HAVE THE POWER TO CONDUCT ANY OTHER EXAMINATIONS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR. THESE EXAMINATIONS, GENERALLY KNOWN AS +EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS, ARE AT PRESENT ADMINISTERED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON AN AGENCY BASIS. THEY INCLUDE THE GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION '0' AND 'A' LEVEL EXAMINATIONS, THE TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE LONDON UNIVERSITY EXTERNAL DEGREES, LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXAMINATIONS AND A NUMBER OF EXAMINATIONS PROVIDING SECRETARIAL, ACCOUNTANCY AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.

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