ENG-1989 — Page 144

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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

The Education Commission was established in April 1984, following the recommendations made by a visiting panel of educational experts in November 1982. Its overall objective is to provide the Governor with advice on the development of the educational system, in the light of the needs of the community.

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

The commission is composed of 15 members. Twelve 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 on the issues before the commission. The ex-officio members 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 Secretary for the Treasury and the Director of Education.

The commission sets out its recommendations in reports which are normally published for public consultation. In 1989, the government accepted the major recommendations in the commission's third report which dealt with the structure of tertiary education and the future of private schools.

The commission is now working on its fourth report which will deal with curricular and behavioural problems in primary schools and junior secondary classes. The commission expects to publish this report in the first half of 1990. The report will also contain an introductory chapter, explaining the commission's educational philosophy and setting out its programme of work for the 1990's.

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

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