ENG-1992 — Page 148

EDUCATION

To ensure that the VTC's advice and operations meet the needs of industry and the service sector, the government has appointed, on the VTC's advice, 20 training boards and seven general committees with members representing those who use the graduates of VTC training courses. Each training board is responsible for training in one sector of the economy, such as electronics, textiles or insurance; while general committees are concerned with training relevant to several sectors, such as precision tooling, translation and the training of technologists.

During the year, the VTC continued preparations for taking over 6 670 sub-degree places from the polytechnics in September 1993, as part of the government's plans for tertiary expansion. Construction work started on a new technical college on Tsing Yi Island and on the conversion of the technical institute at Chai Wan to another technical college. A new industrial training complex at Pok Fu Lam became operational, and the modification and upgrading of existing technical institutes was completed in late 1992.

Hong Kong Examinations Authority

The HKEA is an independent statutory body, with membership drawn from the teaching profession, tertiary institutions and members of the business community. It is self-funding and non-profit-making. The authority's main role is to operate local public examinations: the HKCEE; the HKALE; and the Hong Kong Higher Level examination.

The HKEA also offers proficiency tests, aimed at adults, in Putonghua and in English language speaking skills, and basic proficiency tests for school-leavers in English language, Chinese language and mathematics. On behalf of overseas examining bodies it conducts a large number of examinations leading to academic, professional or practical qualifications.

In 1992, a total of 128 457 candidates entered for the HKCEE, 2 165 for the higher level examination, and 16 879 for the HKALE. The basic proficiency tests attracted 1996 candidates. A total of 219 000 candidates sat for overseas examinations: 65 900 for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 45 100 for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, and 27 000 for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

With the phasing out of the Higher Level examination, held for the last time in 1992, from September 1992 all sixth form courses will be for two years, and will lead to the HKALE, the entry route to all tertiary institutions other than the Open Learning Institute. In 1992, for the first time, most HKALE subjects were offered in both Chinese and English. Previously they were offered in English only. Preparations continued for offering advanced supplementary subjects in the 1994 HKALĖ.

Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation

The HKCAA was established by ordinance in June 1990 to undertake academic accreditation activities for non-university degree awarding institutions, to ensure that the degrees they award meet internationally recognised standards. The council has 22 members including experts in accreditation, local and overseas academics, and local industrialists and business people. Its activities are administered by a small secretariat.

During the first two years of operation, the HKCAA has reviewed the standards of four institutions, scrutinised 73 degree programmes and monitored a number of other programmes. It has stimulated the creation of an international network of similar agencies, for which it provides administrative support. Other activities include seminars and

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