Professional development: Secretary for Education & Manpower Arthur Li says more will be done to advance teachers' professionalism.

To enhance teachers' professionalism, a holistic review of teacher education and development is underway, the Secretary for Education & Manpower says.

The review, due for completion later this year, will also help attract the best people to teaching, Prof Arthur Li said. The review committee will present its recommendations to the Administration later this year.

In response to a question from Abraham Shek in the Legislative Council today, Prof Arthur Li stressed that apart from a sound and broad knowledge base, prospective teachers must have other qualities like the capacity to look after the all-round development of students as well as interpersonal skills.

They also need to engage in continuous learning to cope with the diverse learning needs of students.

Prof Li said his bureau will work closely with the University Grants Committee to ensure that teacher education institution graduates are equipped with strong professional knowledge and ethics.