Secretary for Education & Manpower Professor Arthur Li has reappointed Michael Tien Chairman of the Standing Committee on Language Education & Research and named new members to the committee for a two-year term from July 1.

Mr Tien has served as SCOLAR chairman since November 2000. New members are Aldrich Bay Government Primary School English language teacher Ng Kit-chee and Fukien Secondary School Chinese language panel member Wong Fung-yee, who have been appointed in their personal capacity.

Professor Li welcomed the new members and said, together with the serving members, they will help steer the implementation of the committee's language education review recommendations and advise on other language-education-related issues both inside and outside the school sector.

He thanked outgoing member Prof Chan Wing-ming, who retired in June 2004, for his contribution over the past years.

Other re-appointed members are Dr Betty Chan, Stephen Chan, Tony Choi, Shirley Duthie, Junia Ho, Lau Siu-ling, Dr Evelyn Man, Virginia Ng, Or Ho Yim Ching and Dr Wong Pui-kwong.