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Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, in the Legislative Council today (March 7):
Question:
Among the 25 incumbent members of the Council of the Hong Kong Institute of Education ("HKIEd"), there are a total of seven "staff/student members": three were nominated by the Academic Board from among its number and appointed by the Council, three were elected from among their number by full-time teaching staff and administrative staff of equivalent rank or grade, and the remaining one is a full-time student of the HKIEd appointed by the Council. Under the Hong Kong Institute of Education Ordinance (Cap. 444), the HKIEd's appointment or dismissal of the President or a Vice President shall be effected by a resolution passed by not less than 2/3 of the members of the Council who are present at a meeting of the Council and competent to vote on the matter, and staff/student members shall not participate in any deliberation or vote on such matters.
In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:
(a) whether the Ordinance will be amended to:
(i) avoid the situation where a candidate for the office of the President or a Vice President who is supported by a majority of the staff and students is not appointed because a few Council members from outside the HKIEd do not support that candidate;
(ii) increase the number of Council members who are not appointed by the Chief Executive, so as to enhance the independence of the Council and improve the current situation that the majority of the Council members are appointed by the Chief Executive; and
(iii) allow staff/student members to participate in deliberation or vote on matters related to the appointment or dismissal of the President or a Vice President, or require the Council to take staff/student members' views into account when making a decision in this regard; and
(b) whether they will consider requiring the Council of the HKIEd to set more objective criteria for the appointment or dismissal of the President or a Vice President?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) is an autonomous body governed by its own ordinance. The Council is empowered by law to appoint and remove the President and Vice Presidents. The institute can draw up its own procedures for the appointment of the President and Vice Presidents in accordance with the HKIEd Ordinance. All Council members carry out their duties, including the appointment matters of the President and Vice Presidents, in accordance with the ordinance and on the basis of the long-term needs and interests of the institution.
HKIEd has ensured that students and staff have ample opportunities to express their views in the process of appointing the President and Vice Presidents. These include various forms of consultations, allowing candidates to meet with students and staff members, and presenting views of student and staff members to the Council for consideration. The Government has no intention to revise the Ordinance in this connection.
(b) As a matter of principle, the Government respects the autonomy of HKIEd, and will not interfere with the Institute's internal appointment matters. We trust that the Council will make appropriate decisions on the appointment or dismissal of the President and Vice Presidents, having regard to the long-term development and needs of the Institute.
Ends/Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:53
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