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    The Chief Executive's Award for Teaching Excellence (ATE) (2005?2006), organised by the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB), is now inviting nominations until October 17, 2005.

    "Building on the success of the first ATE (2003-2004) in promoting exemplary teaching practices and enhancing collaboration among the teaching profession, we will make a step forward to enhance the social status of teachers; thereby gaining society?s recognition and fostering a culture of respecting the teachers," an EMB spokesman said today (June 27).

    "This year we have set as our targets teachers of the Mathematics Education Key Learning Area (KLA) and the Science Education KLA."

    With effect from May, 2005, EMB has taken over the role as the organiser of the ATE while the Quality Education Fund will continue to provide full financial support to the Scheme.

    "The SAR Government accords very high priority to the advancement of the teaching profession in Hong Kong, and has decided that the ATE should be made an annual event.  It will target other KLAs in subsequent years," the spokesman explained.

    As in the first ATE, there will be no pre-set award quota for the ATE (2005?2006).  Assessment of nominations will be based on the five domains of assessment adopted in the first ATE - Professional Competence, Student Development, Commitment to the Profession and Community, Professionalism and School Development.

    All awardees and recipients of Certificate of Merit will be presented with a trophy or a certificate.  In addition, they will be offered membership of the ATE Teachers Association and also a relief provision for engaging in post-award dissemination activities.  Besides, the awardees will also be provided with a continuing professional development scholarship cum relief provision for the purpose of further studies.

    The award presentation ceremony is tentatively scheduled to be held in July, 2006.

    Information leaflets, copies of Nomination Guidelines and Form are available at the Regional Education Offices of EMB.  They can also be downloaded at the ATE web site www.ate.gov.hk.  Enquiries can be directed to the ATE Secretariat at telephone 3150 8582 or by e-mail to ate@emb.gov.hk.

    The membership list of the ATE Steering Committee (2005-2006) is as follows:

Chairman:
    Mr Pang Yiu-kai, JP
    [also the Chairman of the ATE Sub-committee (2003-2004)]

Members:
    Dr Nancy Law Luk Wai-ying
    Mr William Lee Siu-hok
    Mr Leung Siu-tong
    Mr Lung Tak-yee
    Mr Gilbert Mo Sik-keung
    Dr Mok Ah-chee, Ida
    Mr Or Choi-kuen
    Dr Pang King-chee
    Mr Isaac Tse Pak-hoi
    Prof Wong Ngai-ying
    Prof Yip Din-yan
    Dr Benny Yung Hin-wai

Ends/Monday, June 27, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:00

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