Training body gets new rules
A new memorandum on administrative arrangements is to be created for the Vocational Training Council.
Secretary for Education and Manpower Joseph Wong Wing-ping made the pledge to the Legco Public Accounts Committee following the Audit Commission's criticism of some of the council's management practices.
Members were dissatisfied with the one-page memorandum, in existence since 1996, which they branded as too simple.
Mr Wong hoped the new memorandum would be signed within two months but maintained discretion, autonomy and flexibility should be given to the council in its work.
'Otherwise, there will be no point in establishing a statutory and fairly autonomous body,' he said.
The Audit Commission said one key area of management practices which warranted improvement was the encashment of vacation leave.
The scheme involved additional government funding but the council did not seek prior approval from the administration. In 1998-99 payment of leave encashment amounted to $4 million.
