Proposed law eyes school-to-continuing education center conversions

A proposed law would allow existing or former non-tertiary school premises to be repurposed as continuing education centers, leaving room for future school conversions.

The Legislative Assembly’s second standing committee has resumed its deliberation of the proposed Legal Regime for Private Continuing Education Centers and Supplementary Education Support Centers.

Following a closed-door meeting with Education and Youth Development Bureau director Kong Chi Meng, committee chairman Ip Sio Kai told a press briefing that commercial premises, office buildings, and educational sites – including non-tertiary school premises – would be considered suitable locations for the establishment of continuing education centers.

He explained that the relevant provisions are designed to allow flexibility for non-tertiary schools that may in the future transition into continuing education centers.

The bill sets out the instructional qualification requirements for tutors at continuing education centers, stipulating that instructors must possess the qualifications and capabilities necessary for the courses they teach.

According to Ip, the bureau clarified that many continuing education courses – calligraphy being one example – do not necessarily come with formal academic or certification requirements. Consequently, the provisions on instructor qualifications have been drafted with flexibility.

The bureau will evaluate the reasonableness of instructors’ qualifications on a case-by-case basis when course applications are submitted. YL