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Education

WITHIN the Government Secretariat, policy responsibility for education matters rests with the Secretary for Education and Manpower. A number of bodies are, however, involved in an executive or advisory capacity in the administration and development of the educa- tional system.

Education Commission

Following recommendations made in the report of a visiting panel of education experts published in November 1982, an Education Commission was established in April 1984. Its overall objective is to provide the Governor with consolidated advice on the development of the educational system as a whole, in the light of the needs of the community.

The terms of reference of the Education Commission are: to define overall educational objectives, to formulate education policy and recommend priorities for implementation having regard to resources available, to co-ordinate and monitor the planning and development of education at all levels and to initiate educational research.

The commission is composed of 16 members. Thirteen of these, including the chairman, are non-government members appointed with a view to ensuring that a broad range of personal and professional experience is brought to bear upon the issues before the commission. Included among these, ex-officio, are the chairmen of the Board of Education, the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee and the Vocational Training Council. The three remaining members are government officials - the Secretary for Education and Manpower (who is vice-chairman), the Deputy Financial Secretary and the Director of Education.

The commission published its third report in June 1988. The report contained re- commendations on two key issues: the structure of tertiary education and the future of private schools. On tertiary education, the commission's most important recommendations were for all tertiary institutions to adopt a single point of entry to first degree courses, following two years of sixth form education; for a unified system of admission to universities and polytechnics; and for the length of first degree courses in principle to be the same for any given subject. The commission's recommendations on private schools aimed to establish a strong private sector to complement the government and aided schools.

Following publication, a four-month period of public consultation took place. The government's decisions on the commission's recommendations are expected in early 1989.

Board of Education

The Board of Education was formed in 1920. It is a statutory advisory body appointed by the Governor in accordance with Section 7(1) of the Education Ordinance, Chapter 279 of the Laws of Hong Kong. Although the board is an advisory body without executive