The following is issued on behalf of the Committee on Respect Our Teachers Campaign:
 
     Around 1,300 teachers were commended at the "Salute to Teachers 2016 - Teachers' Day and Commendation Certificate Presentation Ceremony" organised by the Committee on Respect Our Teachers Campaign (CROTC) today (September 20).
 
     Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Education, Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, said Hong Kong students' remarkable achievements in a variety of international competitions owed much to the innovation, hard work and selfless dedication of teachers in nurturing talents. He expressed the hope that teachers will continue to strive for excellence so as to surpass themselves and to encourage innovation, thereby scaling new heights and cultivating more talents in Hong Kong.
 
     Also addressing the ceremony, the CROTC Chairman, Mr William Lee, said that he hoped the community will continue to promote the traditional virtue of "respect teachers, love teachers and admire teachers" as well as appreciate teachers' efforts and contributions to education with a grateful heart.
 
     Under the Teachers' Commendation Scheme organised by the CROTC to foster a culture of respect for teachers, secondary schools, primary schools, kindergartens and special schools may each nominate two teachers who have shown commitment and excellence in teaching. The Scheme is in its 21st year, with over 26,000 teachers commended to date.
 
     Other officiating guests of the ceremony included the Permanent Secretary for Education, Mrs Marion Lai; the Chairman of the Education Commission, Mr Tim Lui; and the Chairman of the Curriculum Development Council, Professor Kenneth Young.
 

Ends/Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:35

NNNN