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The Advisory Committee on Teacher Education and Qualifications (ACTEQ)
will continue with its comprehensive review of teacher education to enhance
the overall standard and professionalism of the teaching force in Hong
Kong. Working in close collaboration with the stakeholders through specific
task forces, the ACTEQ will study the changing demands on teachers in
the context of the education reform; explore with various teacher education
institutions the ways to enrich the initial teacher education curriculum;
strengthen induction support for beginning teachers and work to sustain
the momentum for teachers' and principals' continuing professional development.
To better equip and support principals in their work, the Government
has organised a wide range of professional development programmes for
serving and newly appointed principals, vice principals and senior teachers
aspiring to become principals. To systematically address the diverse maturity
and developmental needs of principals at various career junctures, the
Government has introduced a professional development framework for principals
after thorough consultation with the education sector. All serving principals
are required to undertake 50 hours of continuing professional development
every year, adding up to a minimum of 150 hours in a three-year cycle
so as to set a good role model for teachers in pursuing lifelong learning.
From the 2004-05 school year, persons aspiring to become principals will
need to attain the Certification of Principalship before they could be
considered for appointment to principals.
The Hong Kong Teachers' Centre (HKTC) was set up in 1989 to promote professionalism
and a sense of unity among teachers. Working either independently or in
collaboration with other educational bodies, the HKTC organised 1 260
professional or personal development activities for 75 000 participants
to promote the curriculum reform, quality teaching and learning. It also
disseminates information on current educational issues by distributing
newsletters and other resource materials to teachers. It has also taken
various measures to enhance professional exchanges and experience sharing
among teachers, including the organisation of an educational conference
annually.
The Council on Professional Conduct in Education was set up in 1994 to
enhance teachers' professionalism. With a composition of 23 elected members
from schools/educational organisations and three members nominated by
the Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower, it advises the Permanent
Secretary on matters relating to professional conduct in education. It
also draws up operational criteria defining the conduct expected of an
educator and advises, where necessary, on cases of dispute or alleged
professional misconduct. |
