1.7 In response to public opinions on textbook prices and e-Learning, the Chief Executive
announced in the 2008-09 Policy Address, “To enhance students’ ability for self-learning and
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interactive learning, and to promote the use of e-books rather than printed copies, we will look into
the development of electronic learning resources. The use and prices of school textbooks have
become a public concern. Some people have pointed out that the frequently-revised textbooks have
imposed a financial burden on parents in recent years. We will invite information technology
experts, parents, school principals, teachers, publishers and others to form a task force to study
these issues in detail. We will draw on international experience in formulating long-term measures
to alleviate the financial burden on parents and to facilitate learning.” For this reason, the
Government set up the Working Group on Textbooks and e-Learning Resources Development (WG)
in October 2008 to examine the development of textbooks and e-Learning resources, as well as to
make recommendations to the Secretary for Education (SED) to facilitate the formulation of
relevant strategies, measures and implementation plans. Please see Appendix 1 for the WG
membership list.