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Following is a question by the Hon Pan Pey-chyou and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (April 14):
Question:
Some members of the education sector have pointed out that although the upper limits on the ratio of graduate posts in public sector primary and secondary schools have been raised to 50% and 85% respectively since the 2009-2010 school year, quite a number of teachers with a recognised degree or equivalent qualifications are still occupying non-graduate teacher posts in primary and secondary schools; hence the education sector still expresses worry about the problem of unequal pay for the same work in schools. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) among the serving teachers in government and aided primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong, of the respective numbers of those who do not hold any recognised degree or equivalent qualifications as well as those who have such qualifications and are occupying non-graduate teacher posts; and
(b) whether the authorities have any plan to further increase the upper limits for the ratio of graduate posts in public sector primary and secondary schools, so that all teachers who possess recognised degrees can obtain graduate posts, with a view to improving the current unfair situation of teachers in schools being paid differently for the same work; if they have such a plan, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(a) In the 2009/10 school year, the approximate numbers of teachers without degree qualifications and those with degree qualifications but holding non-graduate teaching posts in public sector schools are as follows:
Primary schools Secondary schools
(government (government, aided
and aided) and caput)
Number of 1,800 800
teachers without
degree
qualifications
Number of 10,100 5,100
teachers with
degree
qualifications
but holding
non-graduate
teaching posts
(Note: Figures include all teachers appointed within the teaching staff establishment or by using other sources of funding.)
(b) The ratios of graduate teaching posts within the staff establishment in public sector secondary and primary schools have been raised to 85% and 50% respectively starting from the 2009/10 school year. It is the Government's long-term target to upgrade all teaching posts in secondary and primary schools to graduate posts. Towards this end, the Government will continue to keep in view all relevant factors, including affordability and prioritisation of resources, and review the ratios of graduate teaching posts within the staff establishment of schools in due course.
Ends/Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Issued at HKT 13:09
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