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The Secretary for Education and Manpower, who heads the Education and
Manpower Bureau of the Government Secretariat, formulates and reviews
education policy, secures funds in the government budget, and oversees
the effective implementation of educational programmes. The Permanent
Secretary for Education and Manpower assists him in formulating, coordinating
and implementing education policies with the support of the bureau. The
bureau merged with the former Education Department in January, and had
an establishment of 6 255 at year-end. The reorganisation has brought
about better synergy between policy formulation and implementation, improved
communication and enhanced efficiency.
School education services come under the Education Ordinance. School
operators must comply with the provisions of the ordinance and the subsidiary
legislation covering areas such as registration of schools, teachers and
managers, health and safety requirements, fees and charges and teacher
qualifications.
The Vocational Training Council Ordinance provides for the establishment,
functions and management of the VTC, which is the main body responsible
for vocational education and technical training. Its membership comprises
representatives from the industry, commerce and service sectors, employee
representatives and government officials.
The Post-Secondary Colleges Ordinance covers institutions offering post-secondary
courses. There are currently two approved post-secondary colleges registered
under the ordinance, namely the Hong Kong Shue Yan College and the Caritas
Francis Hsu College.
The Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance
took effect in June 1997 to protect Hong Kong consumers by guarding against
the marketing of substandard non-local courses conducted in Hong Kong. |
