Secretary for Education and Manpower
Encyclopedia
The Secretary for Education is a principal official in the Hong Kong Government, who heads the Education Bureau (EDB). The current office holder is Michael Suen
.
and Education Department, and the old position of Director of Education was split into SEM and Director of Education
accordingly, with the latter reporting to the former.
Since the Principal Officials Accountability System
(POAS) was introduced in 2002, the SEM, as all other secretary positions, is an ex-officio member of the Executive Council
(ExCo). The position is a political appointment, and its term expires when the Chief Executive
leaves office.
Before the introduction of the POAS in July 2002, the SEM, as well as all other secretary-level positions, was a civil service position. The office holder was not a member of the ExCo. Before 1991, the office holders may be appointed by the Governor as ex-officio member of the Legislative Council.
At the same time when the POAS was introduced in 2002, the responsibility of labour issues was transferred to the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour
, formerly Secretary for Economic Services.
According to the proposal tabled by Donald Tsang's administration after he was successfully re-elected as the Chief Executive, the manpower portfolio was transferred to the new Secretary for Labour and Welfare
on 1 July 2007. The position of SEM was renamed Secretary for Education.
Before POAS was introduced
After POAS was introduced
Renamed to Secretary of Education
Michael Suen
Michael Suen Ming-yeung GBS CBE JP is currently the Secretary for Education of Hong Kong.-Education:Suen attended Wah Yan College, Hong Kong, a male-only Jesuit school in Hong Kong.-Career:...
.
History
The position of Secretary for Education and Manpower was set up in 1983 when the old Education Department was restructured into the Education and Manpower BranchEducation and Manpower Bureau
The Education Bureau is responsible for education policies in Hong Kong.The bureau is headed by the Secretary for Education and oversees the Secretariat, University Grants Committee and Student Financial Assistance Agencies...
and Education Department, and the old position of Director of Education was split into SEM and Director of Education
Director of Education
The Director of Education was a position in the Hong Kong Government, who heads the Education Department.- History:As a result of restructuring in 1983, the old Education Department was reorganised into the Education and Manpower Branch and the Education Department...
accordingly, with the latter reporting to the former.
Since the Principal Officials Accountability System
Principal Officials Accountability System
Principal Officials Accountability System , commonly referred to as the Ministerial system, sometimes the Accountability system, was introduced in Hong Kong by Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa in July 2002...
(POAS) was introduced in 2002, the SEM, as all other secretary positions, is an ex-officio member of the Executive Council
Executive Council of Hong Kong
The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
(ExCo). The position is a political appointment, and its term expires when the Chief Executive
Chief Executive of Hong Kong
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule...
leaves office.
Before the introduction of the POAS in July 2002, the SEM, as well as all other secretary-level positions, was a civil service position. The office holder was not a member of the ExCo. Before 1991, the office holders may be appointed by the Governor as ex-officio member of the Legislative Council.
At the same time when the POAS was introduced in 2002, the responsibility of labour issues was transferred to the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour
The Secretary for Economic Development and Labour was the head of the Economic Development and Labour Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong, which is responsible for economic development and labour issues in Hong Kong....
, formerly Secretary for Economic Services.
According to the proposal tabled by Donald Tsang's administration after he was successfully re-elected as the Chief Executive, the manpower portfolio was transferred to the new Secretary for Labour and Welfare
Secretary for Labour and Welfare
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Government is responsible for labour and social welfare policy in Hong Kong. The position was created in 2007 to replace portions of the previous portfolio of Secretary for Economic Development and Labour and welfare portion from Secretary for...
on 1 July 2007. The position of SEM was renamed Secretary for Education.
List of office holders
Secretary for Education and ManpowerBefore POAS was introduced
- James Neil Henderson (1983 – 1986)
- Ronald Bridge (1986 – 1989)
- Yeung Kai YinYeung Kai YinYeung Kai Yin CBE JP was Secretary for Education and Manpower, Secretary for Transport and Secretary for the Treasury of Hong Kong. He joined the Hong Kong Government as an Administrative Officer at 1962 and retired at 1993. At 1996, he served as chairman and chief executive of Kowloon-Canton...
(1989 - 1991) - John Chan (1991 - 1993)
- Leung Man Kin (1993 - 1995)
- Joseph WongJoseph WongJoseph Wong Wing Ping GBS JP was the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology and the Secretary for the Civil Service in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China....
(1995 - 2000) - Fanny LawFanny LawFanny Law , GBS, JP, was a high-ranking civil servant in Hong Kong. She held the posts of Secretary for Education and Manpower , Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower...
(2000 - 2002)
After POAS was introduced
- Arthur LiArthur LiArthur Li Kwok-cheung GBS JP was a member of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Secretary for Education and Manpower from August 2002 to June 2007....
(2002 - 2007)
Renamed to Secretary of Education
- Michael SuenMichael SuenMichael Suen Ming-yeung GBS CBE JP is currently the Secretary for Education of Hong Kong.-Education:Suen attended Wah Yan College, Hong Kong, a male-only Jesuit school in Hong Kong.-Career:...
(2007 - present)