Deciding the way forward for the academic structure reform for senior secondary and higher education and seeking public views on the medium of instruction and secondary school places allocation system are top of next year's education agenda in Hong Kong.

Speaking at the Education Commission's annual reporting session Saturday, Secretary for Education and Manpower Arthur Li said that by 2005, when views on the two major reviews are finalized, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will have completely covered what it has promised in the education reform blueprint launched in 2000.

According to the secretary, professional development of principals and teachers will continue to be of top priority, and a qualifications register will be in place next year to promote lifelong learning. The first batch of industry training specifications will be available by mid-2005.

Li promised the bureau will step up its networking capacity. This will help promote professional sharing and rally parental and community support in a concerted effort to nurture a new generation of people who would be responsible citizens, lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and good communicators, he added.