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The Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, announced today (October 16) the setting up of a 16-member "Working Group on Development of Textbooks and E-learning Resources".
The working group is chaired by the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Kenneth Chen. Members include information technology experts, secondary and primary school principals and teachers, publishers, community members and parents. The working group will co-opt members from relevant government departments and fields in an effort to gauge the public's views and concerns on the issue of textbooks.
Mr Suen said: "The working group will examine the development and prices of textbooks, as well as study the success factors contributing to the widespread use of e-learning resources. It is expected to formulate feasible and widely acceptable recommendations to me.
"The working group is broadly represented. I am very grateful to members' participation in this task. The working group will co-opt members from relevant government departments and fields as and when necessary, so as to focus more comprehensively on the broad areas of learning resources as well as the promotion of interactive teaching and learning in enhancing students' learning interest."
The working group will hold its first meeting next month (November). It will also organise several public forums to collect views from the general public and the relevant sectors.
Membership of the "Working Group on Development of Textbooks and E-learning Resources":
Mr Kenneth Chen (chairman)
Mr Sheridan Lee (secretary)
Ms Chan Shuk-ying
Professor Cheung Wai-lok
Ms Sansan Ching
Ms Connie Lau Yin-hing
Professor Lee Chi-kin
Mr Simon Lee Hing-sang
Ms Sophie Leung Lau Yau-fun
Mr Ma Siu-leung
Ms She Ngan-suen
Mr Shum Yiu-kwong
Mr Sin Chung-kai
Ms Ann So
Dr Issac Tse Pak-hoi
Dr Yuen Kin-sun
The terms of reference of the "Working Group on Development of Textbooks and E-learning Resources" are as follows:
Make recommendations to the Secretary for Education on future development of textbooks and e-learning resources, including
* Introduction of e-textbooks and other alternatives; and
* Study the role of textbooks in support of students' learning in the context of the curriculum reform, and look into related issues such as textbook provision, quality assurance and levels of textbook prices.
In putting forward recommendations, the working group will:
* Research the provision and development of textbooks and learning materials in other jurisdictions, and study the success factors for the widespread use of e-learning materials (including e-textbooks) for the formulation of a strategic plan and implementation measures;
* Collect views of stakeholders;
* Co-opt members from relevant departments and fields;
* Deliberate on views collected and put forward recommendations in a report to the Secretary for Education.
Ends/Thursday, October 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:45
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