The following summarises the key points of the Policy Address delivered
today (11 October) by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region, The Honourable TUNG Chee Hwa.
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Our Social Policy –A Statement
- •Committed to free enterprise and small government.
•Enhance the well–being of the community and build
a harmonious society.
•The Government is responsible for four important aspects
of social development:
- •To create an environment
where everyone can participate and compete fairly.
•To provide a basic safety
net for the elderly, the infirm and the disabled.
•To assist the disadvantaged
and the unemployed with an emphasis on enhancing their will
to be self–reliant.
•To encourage voluntary work.
Holistic Education
for the New Century
•Education is our most important long–term investment.
•Education Commission proposals accepted by Government.
•$2 billion more on education per year when reforms are
implemented.
•Relax the requirements of the Kindergarten Fee Remission
Scheme to benefit more families.
•Improve teacher quality and the teacher–pupil
ratio.
•6 000 more subsidised Secondary 4 or vocational training
places.
•$500 million this school year to free teachers from non–teaching
duties.
•$10 million to design enrichment courses for gifted students.
•Promote integrated education in schools for children with
special education needs.
•Speed up the $10 billion School Improvement Programme.
•$50 million in the coming year to support parent education.
•Consider further promoting flexitime to allow parents
more time for school affairs.
•Within 5 years, improve training for principals and teachers,establish
General Teaching Council, and initiate continuing professional
development for teachers.
•Review performance assessment and promotion systems to
reward outstanding teachers.
•Encourage schools to exploit community support and school–parent
partnerships.
•Build a flexible higher education system with multiple
channels and modes of learning.
•Within 10 years, 60% of senior secondary school leavers
to receive tertiary education.
•Extend the Non-means Tested Loan Scheme, low–interest
loan scheme and offer fee remission for the most needy students.
•Develop a life–long learning ladder, and study the
implications of establishing a qualifications framework and
programme.
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