**************************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Education Commission:

    The Chairman of the Education Commission (EC), Dr Rosanna Wong, today (May 18) welcomed the release of a report entitled, "The New Academic Structure for Senior Secondary Education and Higher Education ? Action Plan for Investing in the Future of Hong Kong", by the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB).

    "The EC recommended a reform of the academic structure for senior secondary education and higher education as part of the Education Reform. After the Government accepted the broad direction of the proposed academic structure in 2000, the EC set up a Working Group on the Review of the Academic Structure for Senior Secondary Education and Interface with Higher Education which made further recommendations on the development of a new curriculum, assessment and examination and on university admissions," she said.

    "The EC very much appreciates the good efforts of the EMB in conducting the consultation exercise on the new academic structure over the past six months or so, and is encouraged by the strong consensus among the Hong Kong community on the implementation details and the way forward. This has facilitated the EMB in coming up with the specific action plan."

    "Implementing the '3+3+4' academic structure is a complex task. The EC supports the EMB's decision to implement the new academic structure starting from the new Senior Secondary One in the 2009-10 school year. This will allow more time for the schools, teachers and concerned parties to get fully prepared for the new academic structure," Dr Wong said.

    She was delighted that the Government would continue to put in more resources on education. The EMB has committed to providing schools with more manpower and resources as well as sufficient professional support for the school management and teachers so that they would be fully equipped to implement the new academic structure.

    "The new academic structure is very important to the future of Hong Kong because the new knowledge-based economy of Hong Kong requires informed and responsible citizens, who are life-long learners with a global outlook and a sense of national identity at the same time.  

    "The new curriculum at the senior secondary level will offer greater diversity, more choices as well as smoother multiple pathways for advancement, which can suit the different inclinations, interests and learning needs of students. Also, a four-year course at university will make room for all-round development of university students.

    "The EC fully supports the report, and calls for full support and co-operation from the school sector and the community at large in taking forward the reform to nurture future talents of Hong Kong," Dr Wong said.

Ends/Wednesday, May 18, 2005

NNNN