ENG-2004 — Page 206

172 Education

Introduction of Specialised Teaching in Primary Schools

The Government is going to provide additional resources initially for three years starting from the 2005-06 school year to public sector primary schools with 12 or more classes to improve the teacher-to-class ratio with a view to reducing teachers' workload and implementing specialised teaching.

Review of the Medium of Instruction (MOI) for Secondary Schools and Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) System

Under the current MOI policy, schools are required to use the appropriate MOI having regard to student ability, teacher capability and language learning-support strategies and programmes for students.

Meanwhile, the Academic Aptitude Test (AAT) was abolished and an interim SSPA mechanism has been introduced.

In mid-2003, the Education Commission set up a Working Group to review the MOI arrangement for secondary schools in conjunction with the SSPA system. The Commission will start public consultation in early February 2005 with a view to finalising its recommendations to the Government by the end of 2005.

Language Education

Efforts will continue to create a more motivating language learning environment and to specify a clear and realistic set of expected language competencies for reference by students and working adults. Some examples of work to be done in this regard include the development of standards-referenced HKCEE on Chinese and English Languages by 2007, the development of a common proficiency scale of Putonghua in Hong Kong, strengthening the work of the Task Force on Language Education, and encouraging schools, parents and students to make better use of the mass media as a resource for language learning.

Developing Hong Kong as the Regional Education Hub

To develop Hong Kong as the regional education hub, the Government will further relax the immigration control to allow more non-local students to come to Hong Kong for studies with effect from the 2005-06 academic year.

Further Development of Qualifications Framework (QF)

In the coming year, increased efforts will continue to reach out to the stakeholders to promote the QF and foster the formation of more ITACS for different industries. This is being done by:

• Assisting the first four ITACs in the development of Industry Training Specifications (ITSS) which will set out the competency standards required of different levels of qualifications under the QF;

• Formulating appropriate Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanisms;

• Developing a Qualifications Register, a web-based database of information on qualifications, courses, education and training providers that are recognised under the QF; and