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The Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, said today (September 1) that he was pleased to see local secondary schools proactively engaged in various preparation work to tie in with the implementation of the "334" new senior secondary academic structure in 2009.
He said the '334' new senior secondary academic structure was a major reform initiative with profound impact. "I am delighted to learn that most schools stand ready for the challenges brought by the new academic structure and are in full gear for the relevant preparation work," Professor Li said.
Professor Li joined teachers and students of The Hong Kong Taoist Association (HKTA) Ching Chung Secondary School on the first school day to kick off the new school year. He also shared with teachers on their preparatory arrangements for "334".
He particularly appreciated the efforts paid by the teaching force, saying teachers of different subjects had been actively participating in relevant training programmes, seminars and sharing sessions and working out subject combination in accordance with the vision of '334' to meet students' needs.
"Their professionalism and zealous efforts are highly respectable."
Professor Li also pointed out that professional leadership by school principals played an important role in facilitating the "334" implementation. They are the captain leading the reforms in terms of human resources planning, teacher professional development, curriculum design and resources allocation.
He said that good principal leadership could enhance cohesion and team spirit of the teaching force. By making flexible use of IT and resources offered by EMB, including Teacher Professional Preparation Grant, New Senior Secondary Curriculum Migration Grant and Capacity Enhancement Grant, teachers could be relieved of non-teaching duties and could devote their efforts to teaching work.
The "334" new academic structure for senior secondary education will be implemented in September, 2009. Students who are in Secondary One in the 2006/07 school year will be the first cohort of senior secondary students to benefit from "334". During his school visit today, Professor Li shared with them the advantages of the new academic structure and learned about their expectations of secondary school life.
"'334' provides a broad and balanced curriculum with diversified choices to suit different needs, interests and abilities of students," Professor Li said.
"I have strong confidence in our school principals and teachers. EMB will continue to work closely with schools in preparing for the '334' new academic structure."
For updated information of the new senior secondary academic structure, please visit EMB's "334" Web Bulletin at http://www.emb.gov.hk/334.
Ends/Friday, September 1, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:47
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