Educational institutions should ensure and upgrade the quality of associate degree programmes, Secretary for Education Michael Suen says, adding introducing a credit system may be useful in boosting the degree's recognition.

Speaking on a radio show, Mr Suen said the associate degree was launched in 2000 and it is time for the Government to see how to better ensure the quality of associate degree programmes and boost the degree's recognition.

He stressed educational institutions have the responsibility to improve and ensure the quality of associate degree programmes. Ways to boost the degree's wider acceptance - such as introducing a credit system - will be explored and stakeholders will be consulted to decide the way forward.

Mr Suen said overseas experience shows the quality of private universities is usually better than subsidised ones. Noting some local universities can manage to get funding through alumnus donations, he said these universities may be turned into private ones. Some organisations have also indicated the wish to run private universities, he added.

On small-class teaching, Mr Suen said primary schools will decide whether to implement the scheme in 2009 depending on their students' needs. The bureau will consult relevant stakeholders on implementation details next year and work out support measures for schools.

For schools which will not implement small-class teaching, Mr Suen said the teacher-student ratio can be adjusted in these schools to upgrade teaching quality.