Secretary for Education & Manpower Professor Arthur Li has stressed that the education policy review is student-based, aiming to raise teaching quality. Speaking on a radio talk show, he added that resources should be used effectively to benefit students.

Professor Li said the review did not aim to cut spending. On a suggestion to offer free education for kindergarten children, which may cost more than $1 billion, he said the Government would consider ideas that would help boost education quality and benefit children.

Noting the existing policy on kindergarten education had not been reviewed comprehensively since 1981, Professor Li said an evaluation had been started and the Government was gauging views from the educational sector on ways to better help students. He expected relevant policy objectives could be set within his tenure.

Turning to small-class teaching, Professor Li stressed the Government's sincerity in implementing the scheme. However, he pointed out that the scheme would not be successful if it was rolled out in a rush without appropriate supporting measures and facilities.

He said sub-degrees were valuable exit qualifications on their own, adding the Government was planning to increase the number of publicly-funded senior year places to offer more opportunities for sub-degree students.