Investing in the future: Secretary for Education & Manpower Prof Arthur Li (second from left) said he is confident LegCo members will approve the new academic structure proposal. Curriculum Development Council Chairman Prof Wong Yuk-shan (far left), Education Commission Chairman Dr Rosanna Wong and HK Examinations & Assessment Authority Chairman Irving Koo fully endorsed his report.

The Education Commission and the University Grants Committee fully endorse the Education & Manpower Bureau's report, "The New Academic Structure for Senior Secondary Education & Higher Education - Action Plan for Investing in the Future of Hong Kong".

The bureau's head, Prof Arthur Li, presented the report in the Legislative Council today. It sets a date of September, 2009 for implementing the so-called "3+3+4" structure that would provide all students with three years in the lower secondary system, three years in senior secondary school, and four-year undergraduate degree programmes.

It also raises the Government's spending commitment from $6.7 billion to $7.9 billion to cover the associated costs of the new structure.

The Education Commission appreciates the bureau's good efforts in conducting the consultation exercise on the new academic structure over the past six months or so, Education Commission Chairman Dr Rosanna Wong said.

"It is encouraged by the strong consensus among the Hong Kong community on the implementation details and the way forward," she added.

Implementing the '3+3+4' academic structure is a complex task, and she supports allowing schools, teachers and concerned parties to get fully prepared for it.

Dr Wong also expressed her delight that the Government would continue to put in more resources for education.

"The bureau has committed to providing schools with more manpower and resources as well as sufficient professional support for the school management and teachers so that they would be fully equipped to implement the new academic structure," she said.

She sees the new structure as key to Hong Kong's future, "because the new knowledge-based economy of Hong Kong requires informed and responsible citizens, who are life-long learners with a global outlook and a sense of national identity at the same time." 

The new senior secondary curriculum will offer greater diversity, more choices and smoother pathways for advancement, to suit students' different inclinations, interests and learning needs. Also, a four-year course at university will make room for all-round development of university students.

"The EC fully supports the report, and calls for full support and co-operation from the school sector and the community at large in taking forward the reform to nurture future talents of Hong Kong," Dr Wong said.

The University Grants Committee was equally effusive in its support for the report. In a statement, it said it "strongly believes that all students stand to benefit significantly from the move to six years of secondary schooling and a normative four-year undergraduate programme as it will provide a more balanced, all-round and fulfilling learning experience that suits their different needs, aptitudes, abilities and interests." 

Having an additional undergraduate year will enable students to have more time and space to build a broader knowledge base and a more solid foundation for whole-person development, the committee added.

"This will be conducive to the nurturing of capable talents to underpin the development of a knowledge-based economy as well as to meet the rapid changing needs of the society."

In addition, the UGC also welcomes that the Administration has decided on a firm implementation date for all parties to work on.  The committee is fully committed to working hand in hand with institutions and the Administration towards this timetable with a view to ensuring a smooth transition to the new academic structure. 

The UGC will ensure that the four-year undergraduate programmes will deliver their full potential of enhancing the higher education experience by supporting and working with institutions to make the best of the new academic structure.

Dr Wong joined Curriculum Development Council Chairman Prof Wong Yuk-shan and Hong Kong Examinations & Assessment Authority Chairman Irving Koo at a late afternoon press conference led by Prof Li.

Prof Li stressed the four-year undergraduate programme followed a worldwide trend, citing other places such as Scotland, the Mainland, Japan and Taiwan - as well as North America - as having such university systems.

Mr Koo noted the new structure would take pressure off senior secondary students who, in their seventh year, spend far too much time studying for the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination.

Prof Li told a room packed full of journalists: "I am confident LegCo members will approve this proposal."