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at having regard to the situation existing in the civil service at the time, and after taking account of such private sector evidence as was then available.
3.5
It has been suggested that in setting these benchmark entry points, we have overlooked the qualifications obtained from the Hong Kong Polytechnic and registered post- secondary colleges. This is incorrect. We have taken account of such qualifications in setting pay scales where we considered it appropriate to do so, but we have found it difficult to use them to establish fixed benchmark entry points for a number of reasons.
3.6
In the first place, it is necessary to distinguish between cases where a Polytechnic or a registered post- secondary college qualification is the prime qualification for entry to the grade and cases where it is an alternative qualification. In the latter situation, no problem arises except in grades with multiple entry points. With few exceptions, we have advised against the provision of higher or lower entry points for qualifications above or below the normal requirement, and the starting pay of a grade whatever the qualification held is therefore the minimum pay point. The Government has accepted this advice and thus, for example, where the holder of a Polytechnic or registered post-secondary college qualification enters a matriculation grade, his starting pay is that afforded to matriculants. If, however, his qualification, plus perhaps previous experience is acceptable for entry to a degree grade, then he should receive the same starting pay as a university graduate.
3.7
In those few grades where we continue to make provision for multiple entry, for example, in the disciplined services and certain degree grades where matriculants may be appointed, we have advised that the previous arrangements should continue. That is to say, the holder of a Polytechnic Higher Diploma or a Diploma from a registered post-secondary college should enter the pay scale between the matriculation and degree entry points.
3.8
Where a Polytechnic or a registered post-secondary college qualification is the principal qualification for entry to a grade, for example, in the case of the proposed new structure of the Occupational Therapist grade (see paragraph 11.9), we have taken this into account in arriving at the starting pay for the job. However, setting fixed benchmarks for all these qualifications presents certain difficulties. This is because the courses taken, while undoubtedly improving the academic knowledge of the trainees, are in some cases vocationally orientated, and thus may attract different levels of pay depending on the civil service job that a candidate elects to enter. For these reasons, in the next phase of our work, we intend to conduct an overall review of the educational qualification benchmarks. This will include an examination of the use of the principal Polytechnic and registered
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