Get all stakeholders involved in finding ways to improve our education system

I refer to the report ('Mass tutoring churning out 'robot pupils'', May 19) and Alex Lo's article ('Schools' failure the fuel for tutor industry', May 19).

In the report, Mark Bray, professor of comparative education at the University of Hong Kong, said parents should 'not neglect the personal development of their children'.

Many local teachers and parents do treasure balanced, whole-person development for our young people but have to deal with the harsh reality of local education.

Professor Bray said public schools here, compared with those in other countries, 'were considered well-funded, so the government should have no excuse for not raising standards'.

It would greatly benefit our younger generation if there could be a dialogue among the government, education scholars, teachers, administrators, students, parents and other stakeholders to find a way forward.

We need insight from different parties - those in the classroom involved in the daily teaching and learning process; scholars with knowledge of studies who can inform the formulation of concrete local policies; and officials considering and balancing priorities, plans, constraints, impacts and allocation of funds. The government should take the lead and join forces with the relevant groups to draw up the necessary plans.