XN000022-1997-02-04 — Page 3

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Good response to report on quality school education

The Education Commission is pleased with the clear public support to its consultation document on the Education Commission Report No. 7 (ECR7) on Quality School Education which was released last November for public consultation until January 15, 1997.

Speaking to the media after the meeting of the Commission today (Tuesday), the Chairman, Professor Rosie Young, pointed out that over 200 submissions had been received and about 20 briefings had been held for Legislative Councillors, District Board Members, school councils, sponsoring bodies, teachers, school heads, teacher education institutions, parents, employers, professional organisations and media.

"There is solid support for the main thrust of the consultation document and useful suggestions have been received on individual recommendations, including the proposed establishment of a Quality Development Committee, the incentive schemes, assessment of school performance and the proposed development of school-based management.

"The Commission plans to submit its final report to the Administration later this year taking into account views of the community collected during the consultation exercise," she said.

The meeting also noted the report on the Education Commission's delegation to the 10th International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI) held in the United States on January 5 to 8, 1997.

"The Commission's participation in the 10th ICSEI has been a most rewarding exercise. The Hong Kong delegates were able to promote a better understanding of Hong Kong's development of education, as well as to gather a lot of useful ideas regarding quality school education.

said,

"We will draw on these useful exchanges in finalising ECR7," Professor Young

The Commission also agreed at the meeting to adopt further measures to enhance the transparency of its work. These include the organisation of open forum on topical educational issues and the issue of a bulletin on Commission business on a regular basis.

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