Programmes will be gradually replaced with VCDs in radical overhaul of entire service

On-air Educational Television (ETV) services for secondary schools, first introduced in the 1970s, will be scrapped in two years, legislators were told yesterday.

Director of Education Matthew Cheung Kin-chung announced the move as he faced questioning from lawmakers at the Legco Public Accounts Committee public hearing.

Mr Cheung said the Government would stop broadcasting the secondary school programmes in 2003-2004 and gradually replace them with VCDs to be produced by RTHK and distributed to schools. It will also examine the future of primary schools' programmes in the two years after 2003-04.

A standing committee on ETV, to be formed by the end of this month, will make a final decision on the way forward for the reform of the entire service.

The committee, to be chaired by the deputy director of education, will comprise representatives from RTHK, the Education and Manpower Bureau, the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau, the Education Department, the teaching profession and the media.

The Government started broadcasting ETV programmes to primary schools in 1971 and to secondary schools in 1976.

The ETV service is available to students from Primary One to Secondary Five level.