ENG-1998 — Page 210

EDUCATION

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which is a privately-funded institution and does not receive any direct government subsidy. In the 1997-98 academic year, 842 students received loans totalling $14.4 million. Of these, 818 also received grants totalling $6.5 million.

Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund

The fund was established to manage public donations made in memory of the late Governor, Sir Edward Youde, who died in service in 1986. It aims at promoting education and learning among the people of Hong Kong as well as encouraging research. The 1997-98 academic year saw $12.2 million disbursed. A total of 865 awards were made in the 1997-98 academic year, including local and overseas scholarships and fellowships, awards for disabled students, prizes for outstanding senior secondary students, and medals for best performers in public examinations. It also organised the 'Visiting Professorship Scheme' with a view to promoting educational and cultural exchange and enhancing Hong Kong's image concerning research and development.

Other Scholarship and Assistance Schemes

The Student Financial Assistance Agency administers other privately funded scholarship and assistance schemes for school students. Many are governed under the Education Scholarships Fund Ordinance.

Education-related Executive and Advisory Bodies

Members of the community play an important part in the planning and development, management and review of the education system by serving on various advisory bodies. Through them, public views are sought on major initiatives in education and on major changes of policies.

In May 1998, the government consulted the public on the findings of a review of the existing system of education-related executive and advisory bodies. Taking into account the feedback from this, the government has finalised ways in which the operation of the present system of education-related executive/advisory bodies could be improved and streamlined. The government values the sense of partnership with these bodies and is confident that this can be further enhanced through the changes introduced.

Education Commission

Following the review of education-related advisory bodies, a new set of terms of reference for the Education Commission (EC) were put in place since July 1, 1998, which re-affirmed the role of EC in co-ordinating the work of all other education- related advisory bodies, and in helping the government set strategic directions for education policies. Its membership includes key Government officials, education professionals from the tertiary, secondary, primary and early childhood sectors, and members of the business sector.

In September 1997, the government accepted a proposal by the EC to set up a General Teaching Council (GTC) to enhance the standard of teaching and professional development of teachers, to maintain the integrity of the profession and to raise the professional esteem of teachers. A Preparatory Committee was set up under the EC to propose detailed arrangements for establishing the GTC. It issued a consultation paper in late November 1998 for a six-week consultation and will

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