EDUCATION

115

Literature, Philosophy, Sociology, Philology, Poetry, and Drama. English language and literature also occupy an important part in the curriculum.

Adult Education and Recreation Centres provide both recreation and education for men and women from the poorer classes. The first centre was opened in 1955. It proved very successful and there are now nine centres. Each is controlled by an organizer, who deals with administration, and three supervisors who direct the various activities. Their programmes may be grouped in four categories: educational, cultural, physical and social. The educa- tional courses provide general background education, and instruc- tion in practical subjects. The general course provides basic education up to Primary 6 standard and practical courses. Mem- bership is open to men and women aged 18 and over and is entirely free. Special instruction is given in art, music, dramatics, photography, folk-dancing and other hobbies, and Government officers give lectures on health, citizenship and similar subjects. The staff for these centres is largely recruited from the teaching profession, and undergoes 9 months' training at special evening courses. A short residential conference is held during the summer vacation which forms part of this training.

TEACHERS

Teachers and Teacher Training. There are 19,802 teachers employed in schools controlled by the Education Department. This number includes both full-time and the equivalent number of part- time teachers. 10,963 have professional qualification. At the end of the 1960 school year the ratio of pupils to teachers was 26.1:1 in all types of schools. School classes are planned to have 45 pupils in primary classes and 40 in secondary classes. The required qualifications of teachers are university degrees, certificates in special subjects (mainly overseas qualifications) and local and overseas teaching certificates.

Teacher Training is mainly carried out by the Government's Education Department which staffs and maintains two training colleges and runs four main types of course.

A special one year's course is offered to graduates of Post- Secondary Colleges. Those who pass this course are qualified to

Share This Page