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All serving registered teachers, permitted teachers and government school teachers, including school heads, regular teachers and temporary teachers employed on a monthly basis, are urged to participate in the Council on Professional Conduct in Education (CPC) election tomorrow (April 25).
A spokesman for the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) said that the election would be held in individual schools under guidance notes issued by the bureau.
"The voting is conducted on a one-teacher, one-vote basis. We will conduct random inspections to ensure the election is fair," he said.
Teachers attending day-time courses run by the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) should vote at the polling stations set up on the Tai Po campus or in the Town Centre of the HKIEd.
"These teachers are not allowed to vote in their own schools to avoid double voting," the spokesman said.
He called on all eligible voters to exercise their right in electing candidates to represent them in the CPC, which is aimed at promoting the interests of the teaching profession.
Teachers serving in more than one school have to opt to exercise their voting right in only one of the schools.
"Should they vote in more than one school, the ballot papers will be considered null," the spokesman added.
Teachers who are eligible to vote are reminded to study the instructions on the ballot papers before casting their votes.
"Voters should not put down their names or any other marks of identification on the ballot papers. Otherwise, the vote will be considered void," he said.
Secondary school voters can choose candidates from any or all of the aided, government and private schools. They may each vote for a maximum of five candidates, including three from aided schools, one from government schools and one from private schools. Primary school voters may vote for a maximum of three candidates from aided schools and one from government schools. Each of these candidates should obtain a minimum of 500 votes before he/she can be elected.
Kindergarten voters may vote for a maximum of two candidates and special school voters may vote for a maximum of one candidate in their own category. Each candidate of kindergartens should obtain a minimum of 300 votes and the candidate of special schools should obtain a minimum of 200 votes before he/she can be elected.
Voters are reminded not to choose more than the number of candidates as specified in the category or the vote will be considered invalid.
The CPC is a non-statutory body to advise the Government on measures to promote professional conduct in education, to draft operational criteria defining the conduct expected of an educator, and to advise the Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower on cases of disputes or alleged professional misconduct involving educators.
The bureau has received a total of 30 nominations. Among them, 16 are running for seats in the organisation-nominated category and 14 for seats in the teacher-nominated category.
Results of the election will be announced on Thursday (April 27).
Ends/Monday, April 24, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:01
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