Student’s Name: Edith Mak
Class: 3A(27)
E.P.A. Writing Assignment
Topic: Comments on the Chief Executive’s Policy Address
I.
Keeping Teaching Resources Up-to-date
Brief Summary
The Government will invite information technology experts, parents,
school principals, teachers, publishers and others to form a task force
to look into the development of e-books rather than printed copies
and promote the use of these new learning resources. (39 words)
Comments
I fully support the proposed new policy. Firstly, this is an
environmental friendly policy which will greatly reduce the cut
down of trees and the use of paper. Secondly, the use of e-books
will eliminate the chances for students to carry school bags with
bundles of heavy textbooks. This will help to minimize the health
problems of the students. It will also facilitate their learning and
promote their initiatives in this aspect. Thirdly, some people have
pointed out that the frequently-revised textbooks have imposed a
financial burden on parents in recent years. The proposed policy
will greatly ease the parents in this aspect, in particular those who
need such help from the Government or Non-Government
Organisations. In turn, this will impose less financial burden on
them. Lastly, the use of up-to-date information technology in
education is to keep in pace with the international standard being
adopted in international education authorities/institutions. It will in
turn upgrade the status of Hong Kong as one of the international
cities in the world. (169 words)
II. Old Age Allowance
Brief Summary
The Government will consider increasing the Old Age Allowance
rate (OAA) to $1000, as well as introducing a means test, and
relaxing the permissible limit of absence. (27 words)
Comments
I consider that the proposed increase of the OAA rate to $1000 is
proper. This is because of the inflation in Hong Kong throughout
the years since its introduction.
I do not agree with the
Government that there is a need to introduce a means test
mechanism. The OAA was introduced a few years ago for the
benefit of the elderly irrespective of their financial income.
Although the Government has indicated that the current OAA
recipients will not be affected, I consider that the change of the
original concept of “Respecting the Aged” is totally unacceptable.
The relaxation of the permissible limit of absence from Hong Kong
under the OAA Scheme is well supported. This is because more
and more the elderly has moved to stay in the Mainland as a result of
the comparatively low living standard . (139 words)
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