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Following is the speech by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, on "St. Stephen's College Incorporation (Change of Name of the Council of St. Stephen's College And General Amendments) Bill 2005" in the Legislative Council Meeting today (November 30):
Madam President,
I move that the St. Stephen's College Incorporation (Change of Name of the Council of St. Stephen's College And General Amendments) Bill 2005 be read the second time.
In July 2004, the Legislative Council passed the amendments to the Education Ordinance which provided for the establishment of the incorporated management committee (IMC) to implement school-based management. The new provisions came into operation on 1 January 2005.
The St. Stephen's College Incorporation was incorporated under a private ordinance, the St. Stephen's College Incorporation Ordinance (Cap. 1049), which contains provisions inconsistent with the amended Education Ordinance. It is therefore necessary to amend Cap. 1049 to bring it in line with the Education Ordinance so as to facilitate the establishment of an incorporated management committee in the College.
The main objects of the Bill are, first, to change the name of the council of St. Stephen's College to avoid confusion with the future IMC of the College, and to set out the objects of the St. Stephen's College Council (i.e. the changed name of the council of St. Stephen's College) and its powers and duties.
Secondly, the Bill makes provisions for the general operation of the Council and various transitional matters to improve the operation of the Council and to tie in with the new governing framework.
Thirdly, the Bill makes transitional arrangement for the Constitution of the Council and repeals the St. Stephen's College Regulations (Cap. 1049 sub. leg. A).
We believe that the most appropriate way to bring the provisions of St. Stephen's College Incorporation Ordinance in line with the Education Ordinance is to amend the Incorporation Ordinance by way of a bill.
Madam President, I commend the Bill to Honourable Members.
Ends/Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:45
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