XN000022-1994-07-22 — Page 10

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 1994

CONTRACTS OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS WILL NOT BE EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 28, 1995 AS WAS MOOTED IN AN EARLIER DRAFT.

INSTEAD, TO PROVIDE MORE CERTAINTY FOR OFFICERS, CONDITIONAL AGREEMENTS WILL BE GRANTED TO APPLICANTS FOR TRANSFER AS SOON AS THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (PSC) HAS ADVISED FAVOURABLY ON THE TRANSFER. THE AGREEMENT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE OFFICER AT A LOWER RANK DURING THE AGREEMENT IF THERE IS A SUITABLE LOCAL REPLACEMENT.

THE GUIDELINES ALSO STATE THAT TRANSFEREES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TRANSFER TO LOCAL PERMANENT AND PENSIONABLE TERMS DURING THEIR AGREEMENT MODELLED ON LOCAL CONDITIONS.

"THIS IS BECAUSE THE LONG-TERM DEFINITION OF WHO IS 'LOCAL' HAS YET TO BE DISCUSSED WITH THE CHINESE SIDE IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ACTIVELY STUDYING THE OPENING UP OF POSITIONS OCCUPIED BY AGREEMENT OFFICERS, OVERSEAS AND LOCAL ALIKE, WHEN AN INCUMBENT'S CONTRACT EXPIRES.

"THE INCUMBENT AND OFFICERS ONE RANK BELOW HIM CAN COMPETE THE JOB AND THE MOST MERITORIOUS OFFICER WILL BE APPOINTED.

**

"WE ARE WORKING ON THE DETAILS OF THIS ARRANGEMENT AND HOPE BEGIN STAFF CONSULTATION VERY SOON.

FOR

ΤΟ

PLACE EARLY ONWARDS

"IT IS LIKELY THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WILL BE PUT IN NEXT YEAR AND THAT AGREEMENTS EXPIRING FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1995 WILL BE TACKLED UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENT, HE ADDED.

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EDUCATORS URGED TO DO MORE ON LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION

EDUCATORS HAVE A PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY ΤΟ BEST EDUCATION FOR HONG KONG'S YOUNG PEOPLE, CHAIRMAN OF GROUP ON LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY UNDER THE EDUCATION MRS ANGELA CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

―

PROVIDE THE THE WORKING COMMISSION,

SHE URGED EDUCATORS TO DO MORE TO ENSURE THAT AS MANY YOUNG PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE SUCCEEDED IN THEIR EDUCATION THAT THEY SUCCEEDED DEVELOPING THEIR LANGUAGE SKILLS IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH AND THAT THEY SUCCEEDED IN LEARNING HOW то LEARN AND THINK AND USE THEIR IMAGINATIONS.

MRS CHEUNG WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST EDUCATION FORUM ON LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY, WHICH WAS HELD TO ENCOURAGE WIDE PUBLIC DEBATE ON THE REPORT RELEASED RECENTLY BY THE WORKING GROUP.

"OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN CONCERNED FOR MANY YEARS ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION. THESE CONCERNS CAN BE VIEWED FROM TWO ANGLES, " SHE SAID.

"FIRST, FROM THE ANGLE OF THE WHOLE SOCIETY, THERE IS A SHORTFALL OF PEOPLE WITH THE RIGHT LEVEL AND MIX OF LANGUAGE ABILITIES IN CANTONESE, WRITTEN CHINESE, PUTONGHUA, AND ENGLISH.

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+

/"THAT SHORTFALL

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