Abstract
Science education practices (in schools and universities) and public engagement programs have been under the significant influence of government initiatives based on science and technology human resource development (ST-HRD) policy rather than on education policy. The independence of these two policies can cause unexpected and inappropriate consequences for science educators. As the third 'Science and Technology Basic Plan' regime draws to a close, discussions on fundamental ST-HRD policy for the next (fourth) regime (2011-2015) are in their final stage within the government, and certain draft documents and opinion papers from major stakeholders have already been released for consultation. Thus, it is the proper time for science educators to examine critically the prospective ST-HRD policy along with the probable initiatives mentioned in these documents; in particular, how the policy will affect science education practices in the near future. The present work is one of such attempts. Analysis reveals that the proposed policy and initiatives include several factors urging science educators to change their conventional views on science education drastically.
