Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government prepared to invest 7.9 billion HK dollars (US$102 million) in a new academic structure slated to be introduced in September, 2009, Secretary for Education Manpower Arthur Li said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday, Li noted the initial consultation showed a "a high degree of community consensus on the new academic structure" -- the so-called "3+3+4" that would provide all students with three years in the lower secondary system, three years in senior secondary school, and four-year undergraduate degree programs.

"We have also set the roadmap and direction of work for the future development of senior secondary and higher education. We will proceed shortly to a second round consultation on the detailed design of the curriculum and assessment frameworks for the new senior secondary subjects," Li said.

Many stakeholders, particularly universities, wanted an early introduction of the new system. However, he noted: "to ensure a smooth transition, we see the need for schools, teachers and concerned parties to be professionally and psychologically prepared for the changes.

"Taking into account the views of all parties and having balanced various considerations, we have now decided to introduce the new academic structure in September 2009," Li said.

He added that upon full implementation of the new academic structure, the government will have to spend an estimated 2 billion HK dollars (US$256 million) on a recurrent basis. Most of the fund will be used to meet the additional funding requirements for implementing the four-year undergraduate programs.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2005)