Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa says he is concerned about surplus teachers, and will be happy to meet with the Professional Teachers' Union at an appropriate time to discuss teachers' role in education reform, teachers' training and other issues of concern to them.

Mr Tung said in a statement today he has received the union's request for a meeting to discuss the issue of surplus teachers.

He has asked the Secretary for Education & Manpower Professor Arthur Li to continue to look into the matter and discuss it with all concerned parties including the union, so as to formulate a fair, reasonable and sustainable solution.

Schools urged to recruit surplus teachers

Meanwhile, Professor Arthur Li said he has urged schools to recruit surplus teachers, and called on teachers to solve the problem through discussions - not protests.

Speaking on a radio talk show earlier today, Professor Li said his bureau has reached consensus with the union on a number of surplus teacher issues.

However, it is not appropriate to extend the priority arrangements for surplus teachers ended last month in view of the Ombudsman's investigation results released in May, he added.

Professor Li also stressed the bureau should not involve itself in the recruitment of surplus teachers. Schools have autonomy on appointment matters and the bureau has never involved itself in their decision-making process.

More than 400 teaching jobs on offer

He noted there are about 300 vacancies for teachers. Together with the estimated 130 jobs offered under the school-based professional support scheme, the problem of surplus teachers will be relieved.

Turning to the proposed school-based management, Professor Li said the proposal aims to boost wider participation and higher transparency in school management.

School sponsoring bodies will continue to play a steering role in school management, and there is no question of depriving them of the right to lead, he added.