Pan-democratic lawmakers have vowed to fight to retain dominance of the Legislative Council education panel despite the loss of two of their most outspoken members. Democrat Yeung Sum, a former chairman and vice chairman of the panel, and the Civic Party's Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung, who has chaired the sub-committee on special needs students, both failed to secure directly elected seats in last month's Legco election. 'I think it is a great pity that veteran legislators who have been pivotal on this panel have lost their seats,' said Civic Party leader Audrey Eu Yuet-mee. 'Fernando in particular did a lot of work on special needs education. He really knows the problems inside out.' She said remaining pan-democrats on the committee owed it to Dr Cheung to make sure his 'work will not be wasted'. However, she believed their ranks would be boosted by the addition of Tanya Chan and Cyd Ho Sau-lan. 'We hope to make up for the loss of Yeung Sum and Fernando,' she said. 'We have always had a majority on the education panel.' Education legislator Cheung Man-kwong said the Democratic Party was also keen to maintain a strong presence. 'We have several members who will join the panel, including Wong Sing-chi. If there is any chance we will not have enough strength, then Lee Wing-tat will also join it.' Leung Yiu-chung, of the Neighbourhood and Workers Service Centre, said he was concerned that Dr Yeung and Dr Chiu's departure could leave gaps in the panel's capacity for oversight. 'I'm worried that the universities may think they can do as they please,' he said.