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The Committee on Teachers' Work today (August 23) submitted an interim report to the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, with a set of findings based on literature review, a research study and discussions with various stakeholders over the past six months.
Professor Li thanked committee members for their hard work and the earnestness with which they carried out the work. "The comprehensive and rigorous manner in which members have approached the study is re-assuring, and the interim findings are fair and objective."
"It is gratifying to know that teachers share a high level of personal investment in their work, driven by a strong commitment to the profession," Professor Li said.
The committee has found that it is the nature and not the quantity of work that matters the most to teachers. Although many teachers described their workload as heavy, most felt it was manageable as long as the work was related to student learning. Links were also found between perceived workload manageability and the quality of school leadership.
Survey results showed that the total working hours of a teacher in a year has increased only slightly in the past six years and was comparable to those of other professions in Hong Kong. However, there had been a significant increase in the portion of time spent on administrative tasks. In the next stage of the study, the committee will look into the nature of these administrative tasks, and whether they could be carried out by non-teaching staff.
"It does not come as any surprise that the amount of administrative work and the quality of school leadership have a direct bearing on the teachers' workload and perceived manageability," Professor Li said. "The findings are also consistent with the feedback the Education and Manpower Bureau has received through the Teachers' Helpline set up earlier this year."
The committee has also identified strategies which schools and teachers have used to relieve pressure. "A positive attitude and mutual support among colleagues are effective coping strategies applicable to all work situations in a rapidly changing environment in the modern world," Professor Li said.
"I look forward to receiving the committee's recommendations on measures to reduce administrative work for teachers, and improve their work satisfaction," Professor Li added. The committee will submit its final report before the end of the year.
Earlier this year, the bureau announced and put in place a series of support measures, including the setting up of a Teachers' Helpline to provide counselling service and support for teachers with difficulties at work. It also increased the amount of the Capacity Enhancement Grant and was committed to creating some 2,800 permanent teaching posts over the next three years to relieve the workload of teachers and provide a more stable working environment.
Ends/Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:45
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