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Teachers were today (September 10) commended by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, for their devotion and contribution to the growth and development of the younger generation.
Officiating at the "Salute to Teachers - Teachers' Day 2006 and Commendation Certificate Presentation Ceremony", Professor Li said good teachers should not only have rich subject knowledge and a good mastery of effective teaching skills, but should also demonstrate a strong sense of commitment and responsibility.
"Teachers today do not just help students acquire knowledge," Professor Li said. "They must help students face the challenges ahead through developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, cultivating their creativity as well as enabling them to effectively and flexibly apply the knowledge and skills acquired."
He expressed his appreciation to teachers for their devotion of time and efforts for the benefit of their students.
Some 1,300 teachers from primary and secondary schools as well as kindergartens were presented with commendation certificates during the ceremony today, which aimed to foster a culture of respect for teachers.
In support of the "334" new senior secondary academic structure, Professor Li said that the Education and Manpower Bureau had rolled out various new initiatives to facilitate teachers' professional development. These included setting up the "Education Development Fund", implementing specialised teaching in all primary schools, turning the post of Primary School Curriculum Leader to permanent establishment, and making the basic Capacity Enhancement Grant a recurrent provision.
"The huge investment we made shows our determination to work together with teachers to provide quality education to our next generations," Professor Li said.
"We are also putting forward the Sabbatical Leave for Teacher Professional Development Scheme on a trial basis as a means to provide flexibility for teachers who wish to take education-related courses for one to two years," he said. "Participating teachers will receive up to a maximum of 80% of their salary during their study year."
The bureau has also refined the guideline for teacher salary assessment. In assessing a teacher's salary, a break between the former and the new teaching appointment of less than one year will not be considered as a break in service. The new arrangement gives greater flexibility to teachers for professional development, in which they can choose either part-time or full-time courses to suit their personal needs.
This year was the 11th "Teachers Commendation Scheme", for which kindergartens, primary and secondary schools are invited to nominate two teachers serving at their schools in appreciation of their devotion to students.
Also present at today's event were the Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mrs Fanny Law, the Chairperson of the Education Commission, Dr Rosanna Wong, and the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Teacher Education and Qualifications, Professor Cheng Kai-ming.
Ends/Sunday, September 10, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:03
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