*****************************************************
In response to media enquiries in connection with the Legislative Council's Special Education Panel meeting today (February 28), a spokesman for the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) issued the following statement:
"The Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Chief Executive will soon launch its investigation into the facts relevant to the allegations made by Professor Bernard Luk Hung-kay on improper interference by government officials with academic freedom or the institutional autonomy of the Hong Kong Institute of Education.
Attendants at today's special meeting have neither made fresh arguments nor provided concrete evidence to support their stated allegations. EMB will not comment on individual unsubstantiated accusations at this stage.
We will render full support to the Commission in its inquiry proceedings to ascertain the facts of the case.
As a matter of fact, regarding resource allocations for University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions, UGC determines the triennium funding for each institution in accordance with the established mechanisms. EMB assumes the role of advising UGC on future teacher demand for its reference in working out the teacher training places for relevant teacher training institutions including HKIEd. At present, UGC is still considering relevant quota in the 2008/09 school year.
Moreover, EMB has devoted considerable resources to launch various projects such as school-based professional support programme, teaching professional training programmes, etc. in support of relevant policy initiatives and to invite local institutions through fair and open procedures to provide services. In this respect, we have been commissioning HKIEd to provide relevant services in the past few years.
EMB reiterates its respect for institutional autonomy of HKIEd and other tertiary institutions as well as academic freedom and the freedom of speech by all."
Ends/Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Issued at HKT 21:03
NNNN
