ENG-1994 — Page 184

EDUCATION

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administering the funding of public sector schools and some private institutions. The department also contributes to policy development and review.

In September, the four colleges of education and the Institute of Language in Education were transferred out of the Education Department to the newly-created, autonomous Hong Kong Institute of Education.

Community Participation

Members of the community play an important part in the planning, development and management of the education system at all levels, sitting on advisory bodies such as the Education Commission, Board of Education, Curriculum Development Council (CDC), University Grants Committee (UGC), and Research Grants Council; on executive bodies such as the Vocational Training Council (VTC), Hong Kong Examinations Authority and Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation; on management committees of schools; and on the governing bodies of tertiary institutions.

The Education Commission

The commission advises the government on the development of the education system, as a whole, in the light of community needs. Its terms of reference are to define overall objectives; formulate policies and recommend priorities for implementation, having regard to the resources available; co-ordinate and monitor the planning and development of - education at all levels; and initiate educational research.

The commission has 16 members, of whom 14, including the chairman, are appointed from outside the government to bring a wide range of personal and professional experience to the issues under review. They include the chairmen of the Board of Education, UGC, VTC and Advisory Committee on Teacher Education and Qualifications (ACTEQ). The two government members are the Secretary for Education and Manpower, who is the vice- chairman, and the Director of Education.

During the year, the commission focused on three studies covering language pro- ficiency, educational standards and the funding of schools. Each study was conducted by a working group made up of commission members and co-opted members. A report on language proficiency was issued in July for public consultation, and a report on quality in school education was published in December.

The language proficiency report presented a comprehensive analysis of the language situation in Hong Kong, and made 28 recommendations aimed at improving the ability of the education system to develop desired levels of proficiency in both Chinese and English. Major recommendations included the creation of a new standing committee on language education and research; the development of alternative approaches to language develop- ment at the primary and pre-primary stages, with an emphasis on building a good founda- tion of mother-tongue skills before English is taught formally; improved support services for language teachers; and the setting of minimum language proficiency standards for those entering the teaching profession.

The report was generally welcomed by the public, although doubts were expressed about whether parents would be willing to accept a later start on formal English language lessons. At the end of the year, the commission was preparing its final recommendations to the government.