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The Government today (June 3) announced the establishment of a Task Force on Promotion of Vocational Education starting from June 3, 2014.
The Task Force will advise the Secretary for Education on a strategy and concrete proposals to raise awareness and recognition of vocational education in the community. The membership of the Task Force is set out below:
Chairman:
Dr Roy Chung Chi-ping
Members:
Dr Michael Chan Yue-kwong
Mr Francis Cheng Cho-ying
Dr Edmond Cheng Kam-wah
Mr Kenneth Fok Kai-kong
Dr Esther Ho Yuk-fan
Mrs Miranda Leung Chan Che-ming
Mr William Leung Wing-cheung
Mr Matthias Li Sing-chung
Ms Shirley Marie Therese Loo
Mr Lung Tak-yee
Mr Perry Mak Ping-leung
Dr Mak Yiu-kwong
Mr Tai Keen-man
Dr Carrie Willis
Ir Billy Wong Wing-hoo
Mrs Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai
Representative(s) of Secretary for Education
Representative of Secretary for Labour and Welfare
The Secretary for Education, Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, said, "Dr Chung is a prominent community leader who has a wealth of experience in public service including the vocational education sector. I am confident that under his capable leadership, the Task Force will map out a strategy and recommend concrete proposals to promote vocational education as an attractive pathway and help tackle the entrenched bias among some towards traditional academic pursuits.
"Members of the Task Force are drawn from a mix of expertise and backgrounds, including those from the vocational education and training sector, various businesses and industries, as well as those possessing good knowledge of education, parent education, youth and public relations," Mr Ng added.
The setting up of the Task Force was announced in the Policy Address this year with a view to stepping up efforts in promoting vocational education in the community. Vocational education plays a pivotal role in integrating education and employment in support of Hong Kong's development. Noting the need to step up efforts in promoting vocational education to students, parents, teachers, schools and the general public, the Government has decided to set up the Task Force on Promotion of Vocational Education.
The Task Force will advise the Secretary for Education on a strategy and concrete proposals to raise the awareness and recognition of vocational education in the community, taking into account good local and international practices. In discharging its functions, the Task Force may gauge the views of key stakeholders, set up sub-committees, co-opt members, conduct studies and engage professional services as and when necessary.
The Task Force is expected to submit a report to Secretary for Education within a year.
Ends/Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:14
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