XN000022-1996-04-22 — Page 3

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During its meeting today, the Commission noted the progress made on the implementation of major recommendations of the Education Commission Report No. 6.

"We are pleased with the swift manner in which the Administration implements the recommendations," Professor Young said.

"

'Actions are being taken to set up the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) and its Support Unit; to promote Putonghua and to recruit native- speaking English teachers for secondary schools.

"Applications have also been made to the Language Fund for the employment of two professionals to support the work of SCOLAR, the introduction of intensive English courses for Secondary 6 and Secondary 7 students in English-medium schools, the setting up of a Task Force to develop extensive reading and writing schemes, the review of teachers' workload and the establishment of a Language Resource Centre," she said.

Members also noted in today's meeting the general progress of the Working Group on General Teaching Council.

End

TELA launches biennial film classification survey

The Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA) is conducting a large scale opinion survey to gauge public views on the current film classification system and the standard adopted by film censors in classifying different categories of films.

A professional company has been appointed to carry out the survey, starting today (Monday) until June 6.

"It will involve 540 members of the public of different age and sex reflecting the demographic characteristics of our community as well as some 280 public advisers on film censorship appointed by TELA," a spokesman for TELA said.

TELA conducts similar survey every two years. The last survey which was completed in 1994, showed that the public supported the 3-tier film classification system and generally considered the standards appropriate. They also suggested refinement to Category II film classification and the censorship of posters of Category III films which have since been introduced through an amendment to the Film Censorship Ordinance, effective November 1995.

The spokesrnan noted that out of the 713 films censored between November 1995 and March this year, 142 were classified as IIA and 156 as IIB films.