XN000022-1996-07-15 — Page 12

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Original thinking essential to education

In response to media enquiries on students reciting model essays in the Chinese Language and Culture subject of the Advanced-level examination, the Education Department today (Monday) expressed concern over the issue.

A spokesman for the department said members of the public and the media had confused the function of the Hong Kong Examinations Authority with that of the Education Department.

"The Advanced-level examination is under the jurisdiction of the Authority and that any decision in relation to the matter is entirely in the hand of the Authority.

"The Education Department is fully aware of the need for creativity and critical thinking in our education system and strongly disapproves of plagiarisms, let alone in a subject like composition in which original thinking must be an essential element," the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, the department will study the operation of tutorial schools.

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Water storage figure

Storage in Hong Kong's reservoirs at 9 am today (Monday) stood at 93.1 per cent of capacity or 545.686 million cubic metres.

This time last year the reservoirs contained 426.929 million cubic metres of water, representing 72.8 per cent of capacity.

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