[Archive] LC: Education (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2003 (Proposed addition of new clause)

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Prof Arthur K C Li, on the proposed addition of a new clause at the Committee Stage of the Education (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2003 at the Legislative Council meeting today (January 14):

Madam President,

I move that new clause 20A be read the second time for transitional provisions regarding qualifications of permitted teachers be included in the Education (Miscellaneous Amendment) Bill 2003. To address the concern of Members that serving permitted teachers may have the expectation to become registered teachers after teacher for a number of years, the clause is added immediately after clause 20 notwithstanding section 51(1)(c) of the Education Ordinance. The Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower may issue a permit under section 50 of the Ordinance in respect of a person who is serving as a permitted teacher in a school immediately before the commencement date even though the person does not possess the prescribed qualifications for a permitted teacher on or after the commencement date. Hence, special permission is granted for a grace period of five years from the commencement date of the Amendments Ordinance for permitted teachers to acquire the necessary qualifications to become a registered teacher. Under this clause, teaching permits will also be granted to serving permitted teachers who are attending or have been enrolled in relevant teacher training courses to maintain permitted teachers status when changing school, subject or the level of subject taught.

I now move that the new clause 20A be added to the Bill. Thank you, Madam President.

Ends/Wednesday, January 14, 2004

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