ENG-2003 — Page 199

EDUCATION

Education Ordinance

School education services come under the Education Ordinance. School operators must comply with the provisions of the ordinance and the subsidiary legislation covering areas such as registration of schools, teachers and managers, health and safety requirements, fees and charges and teacher qualifications.

Vocational Training Council Ordinance

The Vocational Training Council Ordinance provides for the establishment, functions and management of the VTC, which is the main body responsible for vocational education and technical training. Its membership comprises representatives from the industry, commerce and service sectors, employee representatives and government officials.

Post-Secondary Colleges Ordinance

The Post-Secondary Colleges Ordinance covers institutions offering post-secondary courses. There are currently two approved post-secondary colleges registered under the ordinance, namely the Hong Kong Shue Yan College and the Caritas Francis Hsu College.

Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance

The Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance took effect in June 1997 to protect Hong Kong consumers by guarding against the marketing of substandard non-local courses conducted in Hong Kong.

Management of Schools and Tertiary Institutions

School-based Management

All public sector schools have started to implement school-based management (SBM) with effect from 2000. To facilitate schools' implementation of SBM, the Education and Manpower Bureau has streamlined administrative procedures, devolved more responsibilities and given greater flexibility to schools. In return, schools have to be more transparent and accountable for their performance and the use of public funds. Each school draws up its annual school plan, compiles a school report and a school profile for the information of parents and members of the public. Also, schools have put in place a staff appraisal system. The Education (Amendment) Bill 2002 on the school-based management governance framework provides for the participation of key stakeholders in schools' decision-making processes and the incorporation of school management committees. Once the bill is enacted, there would be a transition period before schools are required to comply with the requirements.

Quality Assurance Inspections

The implementation of SBM since 2000 has been accompanied by an increasing emphasis on internal school self-evaluation processes to assist schools to improve the quality of learning of students. The Quality Assurance Inspections (QAIs) conducted by the Education and Manpower Bureau provide an external impetus for schools to set priorities for improvement in the coming years. QAIs are being transformed into a new mode of external school review. By phases, all schools will be supported in their self-evaluation processes for sustained development, and in their self-assessment of performance relative to previous standards and the performance of other schools in

159