OXFAM
樂施會
The UNHCR has recently recruited one Vietnamese teacher trainer, which is a step in the right direction, but there is a need for literally dozens more good teachers. Again, the Education Department, with its vast experience, may be able to help with training programmes.
The
Salaries for teachers who are not refugees are set by the welfare agencies, and apparently range from $4,000 to $6,000, but salaries for Vietnamese refugee teachers are fixed at $130. This is a very low rate. A refugee on a good work programme can earn $400 to $500 per month, but teaching is a much more stressful and demanding job. rate is fixed by CSD, in conjunction with the rates for more. menial tasks such as cleaning, but such a small salary makes it difficult to recruit and retain good people.
The money for refugee teachers' salaries comes from the UNHCR budget. We understand the rates are under review and suggest that a salary increase for teachers is overdue.
A primary
There is virtually no secondary education. graduate wanting to continue his or her education must depend largely on self study. With so many children now likely to remain in Hong Kong for so long, serious thought must be given to providing an adequate secondary system.
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3. Vocational Training and Employment
For many adult refugees, there is really very little incentive to get out of bed in the morning there is nothing for them to do.
The
There are a few good work training programmes, particularly those run by Save the Children Fund at Tuen Mun. UNHCR's new industrial liaison officer has managed to bring in some extra work. But all these programmes together cater to just a fraction of the closed centre population.
The island centres are handicapped by their positions simply getting goods to and from the centres is difficult and expensive and government has assured us that any new centres will be much more accessible for work.
But the fact is that after five and a half years, and despite much hard work by many people, the closed camps still do not provide useful training and employment for most of the residents. At Tuen Mun, the recent increase in population has led to a waiting list of 200 for the
industrial programme.
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