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The Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, and members of the Organising Committee for the "Passing on the Torch" National Education Activity Series, in Beijing today (March 10) gave a report on the latest development on promotion of national education in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong group was received by Madam Liu Yandong, a Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee and a State Councillor.
"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will spare no efforts in promoting national education. More resources will be allocated to allow more young people, especially junior secondary and senior primary students, to join exchange programmes on the Mainland. The annual quota for these programmes will increase significantly from 5,000 to 37,000," Mr Suen said.
With a view to taking forward national education in a more strategic and systematic way, the Education Bureau (EDB) is constructing a "Passing on the Torch" national education platform to co-ordinate efforts of various voluntary groups for effective promotion of national education. The Organising Committee for the "Passing on the Torch" National Education Activity Series was set up on January 21.
"The SAR Government extends its thanks to the United Front Work Department, the Ministry of Education, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, the All-China Youth Federation, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR and the People's Government of Guangdong Province for their full support.
"This enables us to put in place a practical mechanism for the smooth running of the student exchange programmes on the Mainland," he said.
"Apart from keeping up the effort in the promotion of 'Passing on the Torch' National Education Activity Series, the EDB will also offer various learning opportunities for teachers and students in commemoration of the 60th National Anniversary in 2009. Activities such as "60th National Anniversary" seminar series, a new website and learning and teaching resources as well as different learning activities will be rolled out to deepen students and teachers' understanding of our country and to enhance their sense of national identity."
Mr Suen said, "With the support from our country and concerted efforts from organisations in Hong Kong, I believe the Government's endeavour in promoting national education among Hong Kong youngsters will bear fruit."
Attending today's meeting were the honorary chairman of the Organising Committee for the "Passing On the Torch" National Education Activity Series, Mrs Rita Fan; as well as seven executive chairpersons of the Standing Committee - Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Chinese History and Culture Educational Foundation for Youth, Ms Annie Wu Suk-ching; President of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, Mr Yeung Yiu-chung; Executive Director of New World Development Company Limited, Mr Adrian Cheng; Chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Youth Development, Mr Bunny Chan Chung-bun; First Adviser of the Hong Kong United Youth Association, Mr Andrew Yao Cho-fai; Chairman of the Hong Kong Youth Exchange Promotion United Association, Mr George Lung Chee-ming; and President of Wofoo Social Enterprises, Mr Joseph Lee.
Ends/Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:16
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