Time to teach: Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa (centre) and guests officiate at the presentation ceremony.

Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa has pledged to increase the teacher-to-class ratio in primary schools, allowing language and mathematics teachers to concentrate on their subjects and reduce their workload.

The initiative is expected to launch in the 2005-06 school year, allowing English-language teachers to specialise in their subject.

Mr Tung said education reform is no easy task and has exerted enormous pressure on teachers

"To enhance the professional development of teachers and effectiveness in teaching, we will increase teacher-to-class ratio to allow language and mathematics teachers to concentrate on teaching the subjects and to reduce their workload," he said.

"I hope we can launch the initiative in the 2005-06 school year as our first step, allowing English language teachers to specialise in their own subject."

Job well done

Mr Tung also lauded more than 1,500 teachers for their services to society.

Celebrating Respect Our Teachers Day today, he presented the first Chief Executive's Award for Teaching Excellence to 44 teachers and merit certificates to 85 others. Another 1,416 teachers were commended for their commitment and dedication.

The award enhances collaboration of the teaching profession and promotes the quest for excellence in Hong Kong's teaching culture.

Awardee selection is based on merits centering on professional competency, student development, commitment to the teaching profession and the community, professionalism and school development.