TNAG-1073-FCO40-1323-Policy-of-the-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-including-1981 — Page 358

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equipment for its intended purposes are in question). This is both a

strength and a weakness.

persuasion, and for this to be effective the advice they give must be

rooted in common sense and in solid professional judgment and expertise.

In principle it is considered proper that the Department should not

impose any particular teaching syllabus or method of teaching on any

school, this being consistent with a policy of allowing schools maximum

professional freedom within the limited constraints of the Ordinance.

Schools are, however, required to notify the Director of the textbooks

they intend to use and to secure his approval for all syllabuses used.

The Director may by order prohibit the presence of any specified document

(including a textbook or other instructional material) in school premises,

and the use of any specified document by schools. He may also give

directions to a school supervisor as to the instruction which shall be

(or shall not be included in any syllabus. In practice these powers are

used sparingly and only in respect of material or syllabuses which are

clearly illegal, harmful, offensive or erroneous: they are not used in

respect of material or syllabuses in which, for example, the approach to

the subject might be regarded as outdated or dull or inconducive to a

spirit of enquiry. In such cases as these, subject officers of the

inspectorate advise the schools of ways in which the syllabus or choice.

of textbooks could be improved, and most schools accept such advice:

however, schools are free to reject this advice and some do.

Inspectors must rely on their powers of

7.10

The Advisory Inspectorate carries out inspections of schools;

gives advice on teaching methodology, resource materials and general

subject organisation; organises various forms of in-service training for

teachers; carries out research programmes; operates an audio-visual

advisory and loan service; publishes bulletins for teachers; and provides

the nuclear staff for curriculum development. The Chief Inspector of

Schools is chairman of the Curriculum Development Committee (CDC) and the