Right direction: Education Commission Chairperson Rosanna Wong says the Education Reform is progressing in the right direction.

Education Commission Chairperson Rosanna Wong says joint efforts among the education sector, parents, the public and the Government over the past six years has laid a solid foundation for Hong Kong in the pursuit of quality education.

Ms Wong said today all items of the Education Reform put forward in a blueprint in 2000 have gradually been implemented, adding that the reform has reached a new milestone and is being consolidated. It aims to offer students with a diversified curriculum more choices and opportunities to develop their potential to the fullest.

"The efforts made by our stakeholders over the past six years have paid off, with improvement in student attainments and professional upgrading of the teaching force. These have reassured us that the Education Reform is progressing in the right direction. I hope we can sustain momentum and scale new heights," she added. More information about the reform's progress is available here.

Progressing well

According to a survey of schools on the implementation of the Education Reform and key learning area curriculum in 2004 and 2005, more than 75% of schools had formulated or continued to adopt a five-year short-term strategy for whole-school curriculum development, and implemented a school-based curriculum to better suit students' needs.

More than 70% of school heads saw improvement in their leadership, professional development, collaboration with teachers and understanding of the curriculum development.

In addition, more than 70% of primary school heads and more than 50% of secondary school principals said they had seen improvement among students in terms of communication skills, critical thinking skills, creativity, self learning, sense of national identity and overall learning performance.

Looking forward, the commission will continue monitor the reform's implementation by co-ordinating various initiatives and maintaining communication with different sectors in the community to assist the Government in realising the reform's blueprint.