Year
(at Sept.)
Maximum class size
Estimated Kg
1980
45
enrolment
199,300
1981
42
183,400
1982
38
180,000
1983
1984
3 333
34
178,000
30
174,000
1985
30
178,400
t
It is difficult to estimate accurately the effect of the reduction on the number of teachers required but in view of the proposed reduction of the
Kg course to 2 years and the number of small classes at present in operation, it is anticipated that the required number of teachers will stay at about the 6,000 level over the period 1980-85.
5.12
An important function of the teacher is to organise activities suited to individual needs. To this end, the Government believes that training in modern kindergarten teaching methods and techniques is essential. A large proportion of existing kindergarten teachers are untrained. It is estimated that about 16% have attended an approved course of teacher-training at a College of Education or University School of Education. Only 7% have had training specifically relevant to kindergarten teaching. This shortage of trained kindergarten staff has had a profound effect on the standard of kinder- garten education. The Government therefore intends to introduce a systematic scheme of in-service training for kindergarten teachers. It is proposed that the present 2-year in-service course to provide qualified kindergarten teachers run by the Advisory Inspectorate of the Education Department should be expanded to take in 120 teachers each year. It is also proposed to transfer the course to the Colleges of Education.
5.13
In addition to the expansion of this 2-year part-time in-service course, the Government recognises that there is a need for courses of a shorter duration so that basic training can be provided quickly to as many teachers as possible. Accordingly, it proposes that there should also be a 12-week intensive part-time in-service course organised twice a year by the Advisory Inspectorate of the Education Department and each course will have an intake of 180 teachers. It is hoped that the first course will start in September 1981. To distinguish teachers who complete this course from those who have completed the 2-year in-service course, it is proposed that the former should be termed Qualified Kindergarten Assistants. The entry qualifications for these two courses are given at Appendix 5D.
5.14
On the basis of the training programme described above, it is estimated that the following numbers of trained kindergarten staff will become available:
38
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