EDUCATION
Other Scholarships and Assistance Schemes
The Student Financial Assistance Agency administers other privately funded scholarships and assistance schemes for school students. Many are governed under the Education Ordinance.
Education-related Executive and Advisory Bodies
Education Commission
The Education Commission (EC) is responsible for advising the Government on the overall educational objectives and policies, and the priorities for implementation. It also co-ordinates the work of all other major education-related advisory bodies on the planning and development of education at all levels. Its membership includes key government officials, education professionals from the tertiary, secondary, primary and early childhood education sectors, and members of some other sectors of the community.
The EC has completed its comprehensive review of the education system and the proposals made in its report, Reform Proposals for the Education System in Hong Kong (mentioned at the start of this chapter), will be implemented in stages.
The major reform initiatives include introducing new Primary 1 and Secondary 1 school places allocation mechanisms and a comprehensive school curriculum reform; increasing learning opportunities at the senior secondary and post-secondary levels; reviewing the duration of university education; improving the public examination system; and enhancing support for schools and teachers to improve the overall quality of education in Hong Kong.
Board of Education
The Board of Education (BOE) is a statutory body advising the Government on school education, with particular emphasis on how to ensure the smooth implementation of education policies and initiatives for pre-school and school education, including special education. The BOE comprises members with different expertise and experiences in pre-school education, special schools, school administration, teaching, teacher education, tertiary education, business and other professions.
During the year, the BOE has worked to support the education reform. One sub- committee and three working groups were formed to deliberate on matters related to principals' professional development, promotion of learning through reading, parent education, and students' diversities and learning needs. In addition, a joint working group on medium of instruction - comprising members of BOE and the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research - finalised its recommendations on the medium of instruction policy. The BOE also took a leading role in organising the 13th International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement, which was one of the activities held to celebrate the millennium.
Curriculum Development Council
The Curriculum Development Council (CDC) advises the Government on matters relating to school curriculum development from kindergarten to the senior secondary level. Members of the CDC and its network of committees include school heads,
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