XN000022-1996-05-29 — Page 34

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(c)

(d)

17 -

Section 15 of the Ordinance requires the ADC to submit, after the close of each financial year, a report on its activities and affairs for that year, a statement of the accounts for that year, and an auditor's report on the accounts, to the Governor for tabling before the Legislative Council.

Section 14 of the Ordinance empowers the Director of Audit to carry out examinations into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which the ADC has used its funds in carrying out its functions, powers and duties. The Director of Audit may report to the Legislative Council the results of such examinations.

Compulsory school education system review

Following is a question by the Hon Cheung Hon-chung and a reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

As the Board of Education is undertaking a comprehensive review of the nine- year free and compulsory school education system, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

Whether the Board will study the feasibility of providing 11 years (Primary 1 to Secondary 5) of free and compulsory education, given that the completion of Form 5 education is generally regarded by most employers as the basic entry requirement for employment; if not, why not; and

whether the Government will consult the public before a decision is taken on the findings of the review?

Reply:

Mr President,

As regards part (a) of the question, according to its terms of reference, the sub- committee set up under the Board of Education will study the 9-year compulsory education system in the light of recent developments in education, and to make recommendations to the Board of Education on measures to further enhance the system. In other words, the sub-committee will not study the feasibility of providing 11 years of free and compulsory education.