Some local educators are urging the government to set up a statutory body to help enhance teachers' moral conduct in the wake of recent cases of teachers misconduct.

Chairperson for the Council on Professional Conduct Education (CPC) Yu Wai-bing stated that it is crucial to establish a General Teaching Council (GTC) that regulates teachers' conduct and promotes further education in the community.

Yu explained that the CPC can only advise the permanent secretary for education on the punishment in cases of professional misconduct at present. There are no centralized procedures for trials and disciplinary actions on the teachers involved.

"With the formation of the GTC, there will be a central committee that evaluates the cases and revoke the teachers' licenses, if necessary. It will allow the education community to operate on self-regulation and autonomy," Yu pinpointed.

CPC vice-chairperson Ho Lin-Shan remarked that the GTC should also support the efforts of local education institutions in the training of teachers, as the council aims to reinforce professionalism and professional ethics in the training curriculum.

"The GTC should work to enhance educator's awareness of professional conduct through pre-service and in-service education," Ho elaborated. "It'll help our community meet the ever-growing public expectations on the teaching profession."

Regarding the rules and regulations of the proposed GTC, Ho remarked that they will be decided through in-depth discussions among educators and tertiary institutes, and public consultations.

While there is currently no timetable for the formation of the GTC, Yu said that the CPC will further communicate with the government over the proposal. She said she hoped the proposal will be discussed in the Legislative Council (LegCo) soon.

"We're hoping to have a tentative schedule in 2009," Yu added. "In the meantime, we'll carry out community education activities to raise public awareness of the importance of the GTC."

Vice-chairman for Education Convergence Ho Hon-kuen noted that the presence of a statutory body should be conducive to monitoring teachers' conduct, as recent scandals have raised public concern about the profession.

While both the government and the education sector have shared the same ideals about the GTC for a long time, Ho pointed out that its formation will depend on the actions of the LegCo.

"It'll take in-depth discussions among our legislators and educations to determine how the GTC should be set up, since many of the details may need modification," Ho said.

(HK Edition 10/14/2008 page1)