For discussion
FCR(97-98)63
on 21 November 1997


ITEM FOR FINANCE COMMITTEE

HEAD 40 - EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Subhead 149 General departmental expenses
Subhead 305 Code of Aid for secondary schools
Subhead 330 Assistance to private secondary schools and bought places
New Recurrent Account Subhead 108 " Remuneration for special appointments'

Members are invited to -

  1. accept the financial implications of introducing a new Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme in public sector secondary schools with effect from the 1998/99 school year; and

  2. approve a remuneration package for teachers employed under the Scheme.

PROBLEM

We have to take positive measures to enhance the English language proficiency of students in order to maintain the competitiveness of Hong Kong as an international trade and finance centre.

PROPOSAL

2.With the support of the Secretary for Education and Manpower, the Director of Education (D of E) proposes to -

  1. introduce a new Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme for all public sector secondary schools with effect from the 1998/99 school year as described in paragraph 4 below; and

  2. appoint teachers under the NET Scheme based on the remuneration package as described in paragraphs 6 and 7 below.

JUSTIFICATION

The Scheme

3.Since 1987, we have encouraged secondary schools to employ native-speakers as English teachers to enhance the teaching of English and to increase students' exposure to English. The Education Commission Report No. 6 confirmed the effectiveness of native-speaking English teachers in the teaching of English.

4.Based on the experience of existing schemes, D of E proposes a new NET Scheme under which we will provide one NET to each public sector secondary school with less than 40 classes and two NETs to each school with 40 or more classes. In addition, we will allow schools adopting Chinese as the Medium of Instruction (MOI) to fill one of the additional English teacher posts provided to them with an NET. The provision of extra English teacher posts is one of the positive measures to enhance the teaching of English in schools adopting Chinese as the MOI. On current estimate, about 80% of all public sector secondary schools will use Chinese as the teaching medium in the 1998/99 school year and we expect to have to recruit about 750 NETs for the year.

5.NETs will act as English language resource teachers in the schools. They will assist in school-based English teacher development programme and help foster an enabling environment for students to speak English and practise their oral skills. They will share the heavy burden shouldered by the existing English teachers.

Remuneration package

6.To attract a sufficient number of qualified expatriate teachers to apply for the NET posts, we propose a remuneration package, which includes basic salary, passages and baggage allowance, a special allowance, medical allowance and contract gratuity. The special allowance (fixed at $13,000 per month) and passages and baggage allowance are payable to teachers whose normal place of residence is outside Hong Kong. Other fringe benefits include salary advance and leave. The proposed remuneration package is in Enclosure 1. It will apply to all teachers recruited under the NET Scheme irrespective of whether they will teach in Government or aided secondary schools. For those working in Government schools, we will appoint them as non-civil servants.

7.We will appoint NETs initially for a term of two years commencing in September 1998; renewal of contract will be subject to satisfactory performance. They will not have any promotion prospects during their appointment.

Qualifications for appointment

8.NETs are required to possess a recognised degree in English, a Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language and/or Post-graduate Certificate in Education and at least two years' post-graduate experience in teaching English. Detailed qualifications for appointment of NETs are in Enclosure 2. The proposed duty list is in Enclosure 3. Local teachers who possess the requisite qualifications and native-speaker English competence may apply for the NET posts. However, they will not be eligible for the special allowance, passages or baggage allowance.

Recruitment

9.In view of the large number of new recruits, we will commission an agency with a global network, experience and expertise to conduct the entire recruitment exercise. To facilitate the adaptation of individual NETs to the local school environment, we will require the agency to organise induction as well as support programmes for the new appointees. We will also require the agency to carry out periodic evaluation of the Scheme. The agency will also organise training courses and experience-sharing sessions for both NETs and local teachers to facilitate integration of the expatriate teachers into the Hong Kong school system. The Education Department will closely monitor the operation of the agency and take part selectively in recruitment interviews conducted locally and overseas.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

10.We estimate that the annually recurrent cost of the Scheme from 1998-99 to 2001-02 will be as follows -

1998-99
$ ' 000
1999-2000
$ ' 000
2000-01
$ ' 000
2001-02
$ ' 000
(a) Salaries

168,382 297,126 304,964 307,130
(b) Passages and baggage allowance

34,600 1,768 65,267 3,548
(c) Special allowance

68,705 121,238 124,436 125,320
(d) Medical allowance

1,795 3,170 3,256 3,284
(e) Contract gratuities

0 0 86,596 4,358
Sub-total for remuneration package

273,482 423,302584,519 443,640
(f) Supply teachers

842 1,4861,525 1,536
(g) Recruitment related expenses

22,150 4,7407,090 4,240
(h) Evaluation

3,00012,000 1,5001,500
Offset by-
Costs of the English teacher posts in schools adopting Chinese as the MOI which will be filled by NETs

(78,520)(139,075) (143,209)(144,352)
Total220,954302,453 451,425306,564

11.As regards paragraph 10(a), the expenditure of $168,382,000 in 1998-99 is for the payment of salaries for seven months to 755 NETs who will be remunerated on the pay scale of Graduate Master/Mistress (currently $20,865 - $43,940). The pay scale is identical to that of a local teacher. The expenditure for 1999-2000 and thereafter is for salaries for a full year and additional NETs provided to new schools coming into operation.

12.As regards paragraph 10(b), the expenditure is for passages and baggage allowance for the NETs and their accompanying spouses and children, if any. Each teacher will be provided with a return passage for each contract.

13.As regards paragraph 10(c), the expenditure is for the payment of a special allowance of $13,000 per month to an NET whose normal place of residence is outside Hong Kong. This allowance is fixed during the term of the contract.

14.As regards paragraph 10(d), the expenditure is for the payment of a medical allowance to the NETs and their dependants, if any.

15.As regards paragraph 10(e), the expenditure is for the payment of contract gratuities, calculated at 15% of the total basic salary over the contract period, upon satisfactory completion of a two-year contract. We will only need to make the first payment of contract gratuities in 2000-01 for teachers appointed in 1998-99. This accounts for the blip in expenditure in the estimated annually recurrent cost of the Scheme over the period 1998-99 to 2001-02.

16.As regards paragraph 10(f), the expenditure is for providing supply teachers to substitute NETs on leave.

17.As regards paragraph 10(g), the expenditure is for recruitment, qualification assessment, organisation of induction courses, provision of support services and information kits for the new recruits, and organisation of training courses/experience sharing sessions for NETs and local teachers. We have assumed a wastage rate of 20% at the end of each contract. A detailed breakdown of the recruitment expenses is in Enclosure 4.

18.As regards paragraph 10(h), the expenditure is to cover expenses for the evaluation of the Scheme. The evaluation will include the rate of success of the Scheme in raising the English language standard of Hong Kong students.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

19.In 1987 we introduced a pilot Expatriate English Language Teacher Scheme with the objective of enhancing students' English language achievement. Subsequent to an evaluation of the pilot scheme, we launched a Permanent Expatriate English Language Teacher Scheme in September 1991.

20.In September 1996, following Education Commission Report No. 6's recommendation that schools should be encouraged to employ on local terms more native English speakers before an adequate number of local teachers are trained, we introduced a Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme. Our intention was to recruit 100 NETs. However, the scheme received lukewarm response and we managed to employ only 12 and 37 teachers in 1996-97 and 1997-98 respectively. This is partly due to the unattractiveness of the remuneration package and partly because schools do not have additional English teacher posts and have to give up a post in their teaching establishment to take on an NET.


Education and Manpower Bureau
November 1997



Enclosure 1 to FCR(97-98)63

Remuneration package for Teachers appointed under the new Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme

The remuneration package and fringe benefits

  1. Salary
  2. Payable monthly, and equivalent to that for teachers at Graduate Master/ Mistress rank (MPS 17-33, or $20,865 to $43,940 at 1997-98 prices); actual salary to be determined on the basis of individual appointees' qualifications and relevant experience.

  3. Passage
  4. Standard economy air tickets to and from the country of origin by the most direct route for the appointee, his/her spouse and accompanying children for each contract.

  5. Baggage allowance
  6. Reimbursement of travelling and baggage expenses to and from the country of origin at the rate comparable to that for eligible civil servants. (To illustrate, the present rates are around $1,300 for a single appointee and $5,000 for a married one from the UK to Hong Kong, and $3,300 and $6,500 respectively from Hong Kong to the UK.)

  7. Special allowance
  8. A fixed monthly allowance of $13,000, payable only to appointees whose normal place of residence is outside Hong Kong.

  9. Medical allowance
  10. As reimbursement for the appointees to take out medical insurance, up to $1,400 per year for a single appointee and $5,400 per year for a married appointee. These rates correspond to the average expenses in this regard in the civil service.

  11. Contract gratuities
  12. 15% of the total basic salary over the contract period payable on completion of each contract.

Other entitlements

  1. Salary advance
  2. Payable on first appointment and on application an amount not exceeding two months' salary, and repayable monthly within the period of the relevant contract.

  3. Leave entitlement
  4. Leave entitlement includes school holidays, casual leave, sick leave and maternity leave.


Enclosure 2 to FCR(97-98)63

Qualifications for Appointment as Native-speaking English Teachers (NETs)

The applicant should be a native-speaker of English.

Experience in teaching English outside his/her country is preferable.

The qualifications for appointment of native-speaking English teachers are categorised in the following order of priority -

Category 1

  1. a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language or Linguistics or English Literature or English Studies or a Modern Language;

  2. a Post-graduate Certificate in Education or equivalent;

  3. a Teaching of English as a Foreign Language or a Second Language (TEFL/TESL) qualification at least at the diploma level; and

  4. at least 2 years' post-graduate experience of teaching English preferably as a second or foreign language in a recognised institution at secondary level or above.

Category 2

  1. a Bachelor in Education degree (major in English or a Modern Language, but not primary education specialist) obtained after 3 years' full-time study;

  2. a Teaching of English as a Foreign Language or a Second Language (TEFL/TESL) qualification at least at the diploma level; and

  3. at least 2 years' post-graduate experience of teaching English preferably as a second or foreign language in a recognised institution at secondary level or above.

Category 3

  1. a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language or Linguistics or English Literature or English Studies or a Modern Language;

  2. a Post-graduate Certificate in Education or equivalent or TEFL/TESL qualification at least at the diploma level; and

  3. at least 2 years' post-graduate experience of teaching English preferably as a second or foreign language in a recognised institution at secondary level or above.


Enclosure 3 to FCR(97-98)63

Proposed Duties of the Native-speaking English Teachers (NETs)

The exact duties of NETs should be determined by the school principal according to the specific needs of his/her school. It is proposed that the duties of NETs should cover the following -

  1. To be responsible for classroom teaching and assessment;

  2. to provide support to the English Panel Chairperson, including assisting in the tailoring of the curriculum and preparation of teaching materials;

  3. to assist in conducting extra-curricular activities related to the English language, e.g. speech, drama, debates, choral speaking and extensive reading;

  4. to assist in running more oral activities for students after school, especially Chinese-medium schools;

  5. to assist in setting up an English corner in the school where students can come together to practise oral English and read English books under their guidance; and

  6. to act as an English language resource person for other teachers in school.


Enclosure 4 to FCR(97-98)63

Recruitment related expenses for the new Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme

Item 1998-99
$ ' 000
1999-2000
$ ' 000
2000-01
$ ' 000
2001-02
$ ' 000
(a) Recruitment exercise (advertising, short-listing, interviews, etc.) at around $13,000 per recruit

9,820 500 2,070 160
(b) Qualification assessment by Hong Kong Council of Academic Accreditation at $1,600 per assessment

4,830 240 1,020 80
(c) Induction, training, seminars and support services

7,500 4,000 4,000 4,000
Total22,1504,740 7,0904,240