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EDUCATION

The two official members are the Director of Education (who is vice-chairman), and the Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower. Apart from regular meetings, the board also visits schools, educational institutions and centres from time to time. The board is serviced by the Education Department.

The Education Ordinance gives the board a general warrant rather than specific terms of reference. However, the board plays a key role in the formulation of educational policy. The composition of its membership is such that a variety of interests are reflected and its individual members, who are specialists in their own right, provide a wealth of experience and expert knowledge. The board's advice is sought on all major issues involving either the formulation of new policy or the modification of existing policy.

University and Polytechnic Grants Committee

The University and Polytechnic Grants Committee (UPGC) is appointed by the Governor to advise the government on the development of higher education in Hong Kong, and on the necessary funding, and to administer grants in respect of the institutions of tertiary education. There are at present five institutions under the aegis of the UPGC: the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic, the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Baptist College.

Recurrent funding for the institutions is normally by block grants, provided on a triennial basis. Capital grants are considered annually at the same time as the government's estimates are being prepared.

In addition to monitoring directly the academic development and funding of the institutions, the UPGC is responsible for providing advice on a wide variety of issues involving higher education. During the year the UPGC was consulted on such subjects as open education; the provision of graduate teachers; the reform of sixth form education; the establishment of a local body for validating degree courses at the non-university institu- tions; the development of strategic research at the tertiary institutions; student targets up to the year 2000, and the need for, and the profile of, the Third University.

There is no government representation on the UPGC. Membership comprises two categories: overseas members, who are distinguished senior academics from the United Kingdom, Australia and North America, and local members, who have previously been drawn from the professions, business and commerce but who, since 1986, include senior local academics.

The UPGC Secretariat, which is staffed by public servants, comprises two separate parts. The first services the UPGC. The second, the Student Finance Section, is responsible to the government for the administration of two means-tested schemes through which financial assistance is provided to Hong Kong students attending higher education institutions in Hong Kong and in the United Kingdom.

Vocational Training Council

The Vocational Training Council was set up in 1982 under the Vocational Training Council Ordinance. The council is composed of 22 members appointed by the Governor, four of whom are official members the Secretary for Economic Services, the Director of Education, the Commissioner for Labour and the Director of Technical Education and Industrial Training. The council's role is to advise the Governor on measures required to ensure a comprehensive system of technical education and industrial training suited to the developing needs of Hong Kong; to set up, develop and operate training schemes for training operatives, craftsmen, technicians and technologists necessary to maintain and