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Professional exchange to witness nation's achievements (with photos)
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     The Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, and Director General of the Education, Science and Technology Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR (Liaison Office), Mr Pan Yonghua, officiated at the flag presentation ceremony and briefing today (September 18) for a delegation of teachers and principals going on professional exchanges to Beijing.

     To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Education Bureau took the opportunity in this special year to organise a Beijing exchange programme for members of the educational sector. With an invitation from the Ministry of Education and with support and assistance from the Liaison Office, the delegation will leave for Beijing at the end of September to join the National Day celebrations and attend exchange activities.

     Head of the delegation Mr Suen emphasised the significance of the event in his speech at the ceremony, saying, "This year is the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Our country has made rapid developments and had great achievements. I am glad to join you in Beijing for part of the exchange programmes.

     "The visit allows more than 150 delegates to get a personal sense of the developments and achievements of our country while celebrating its 60th National Day.  We strongly believe that the programmes will help delegates plan how to further enhance national education in schools, and nurture their students' sense of national identity."

     The Education Bureau (EDB) is organising a series of activities to commemorate the 60th National Day.  The activities aim to enlighten students about the nation's achievements over the past 60 years and the developments ahead, as well as nurture their sense of care towards the nation to prepare them for making future contributions.

     Mr Suen said, "We will continue to seize the opportunity brought by the rapid developments of our country, such as 2010 Expo Shanghai China, to design suitable learning activities to deepen students' understanding of our country."

     The 150-member delegation comprises teachers and principals of primary schools, secondary schools and special schools who are enthusiastic in promoting national education, as well as representatives from tertiary institutions and educational organisations. The visit provides a platform for delegates to have exchanges with their Mainland counterparts, and to deepen their understanding of the country so that they can enrich their knowledge in national education and enhance their teaching effectiveness.

     During the trip, the delegation will visit the Ministry of Education and be briefed by officials on the country's latest developments in education.  The delegation will also visit local primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, the Olympic venue, Beijing Space City and a military museum.

     Mr Suen said that the promotion of national education would depend on the support of different sectors of the community.  He thanked Meng's Foundation Limited for its generosity in sponsoring the exchange visit and other national education activities organised by the EDB.  The foundation's support demonstrates the recognition of national education in the community.
   
     The Ministry of Education, the EDB and the Science and Technology Department of the Liaison Office have co-organised four visits to Beijing since 2006 for professional exchanges of teachers and principals.

Ends/Friday, September 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:51

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