TNAG-1361-FCO40-1807-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 334

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DRAFT SPEECH BY DR HON HENRIETTA IP LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 23.1.85

Education Commission Report No. 1

Sir,

I welcome the publication of the Education Commission

I look forward to Report No. 1 and support the proposals made.

the increase in subsidised post-Form 3 educational opportunities comprising vocational and general education for some 95.2% of the 15 year-old population such that the JSEA could effectively be phased out in 1991. Buying Form 4 places in private schools irrespective of the quality may bring forward that date, but I prefer the rational and cost-effective approach by the Commission in its steady quality long-term approach. We must convince parents that vocational education are comparable and are equally important and meaningful for the

It can be community and particularly for the individuals. outright harmful and a waste of time to pressurize a child to pursue a general stream when his inclination and ability is towards vocational education. Without such active public relations and promotion of vocational training, whatever a means of placement to be devised to substitute the JSEA would continue to be pathologically competitive.

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As regards the open university, although I am disappointed with the conclusion of the Commission, I am convinced that the alternative proposal of open education will satisfy the aspiration of those who want to learn but have missed the opportunity. The large number of current open education programmes that exist in Hong Kong now needs co-ordination, and I look forward to the Commission's future proposal of a co-ordinating body. Logically it should also serve as an accrediting body for courses it coordinates.

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