HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL
28 June 1989 香港立法局———————————一九八九年六月二十八日
51
I propose that all in-service teachers should be provided with the
opportunities for refresher courses in child psychology in the same way that civil service training programmes are provided.
Pre-school education
Another area that needs attention is pre-school education. Members of this Council have argued for subsidized pre-school education. Today my honourable colleagues, Mrs. Selina CHOW and Mrs. Rita FAN, have again eloquently argued the case. Children first venture outside of their home environment during the pre-school age. Their experience in the nursery and kindergarten affects their process of emotional development. There is thus a need for proper pre-school curriculum, which stimulates their interest and imagination, but which would not go beyond their learning capabilities for their age. We should also ensure that only teachers properly qualified to take care of the young would be employed.
If I seemed to have strayed from the topic that I started with: children from problem families, it is because there are two major elements exerting influences on character development of the child: the family and the school. For children from problem families, it will be difficult to deal with the family, and the school plays an even wider and vital role in helping the troubled child.
The school also has the responsibility of instilling in the young a healthy attitude to interpersonal relationships, and to love, courtship and marriage. The way to ensure less broken homes and better family relationships is to start with the proper education and care of the child, before he becomes a parent.
MILTON said: "The childhood shows the man, as morning shows the day." Our hope for a better tomorrow must be to ensure the well-being of our young and respect the rights of the child.
With these remarks, Sir, I support the motion.
4.23 pm
HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT: I assume a good many Members are due to speak in the debate. Members might appreciate a short break at this point.
4.26 pm
HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT: Council now resumes.