EDUCATION
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and plan courses directly relevant to community needs. To meet the needs of the printing industry for properly trained craftsmen and technicians, a new department of printing has been established with workshops and classrooms temporarily set up at Caine Lane. Courses are being run on a part-time day-release basis. This depart- ment will move to Kwun Tong where one of the two new technical institutes is scheduled for completion by 1975.
The department of technical teacher and workshop instructor training offers both a one-year and a two-year full-time course. It also provides for in-service techni- cal teacher training, as well as training for workshop instructors on a part-time day- release and part-time evening basis. Upgrading training for serving technical teachers is another important task undertaken by the institute.
As a result of the efforts and co-operation of the_apprenticeship training unit of the Labour Department and the encouraging response and interest shown by industry and commerce the institute has been able to fulfil an important role in providing part-time day-release training for both craft and technician apprentices in local industry. The increasing support given by industry and commerce in sponsoring students for courses has resulted in a need for expansion of facilities. This will be achieved when an additional floor, housing three new workshops, is completed next
year.
The Institution of Electrical and Electronics Technician Engineers gave official recognition to a number of courses run by the Morrison Hill Technical Institute. Holders of either the Technician Diploma in Electronic Engineering or the Final Certificate for Electrical-Electronic Technicians may now apply for technician asso- ciate membership of the institution. Holders of the Electrical-Electronics Technician's Endorsement Certificate together with either the Technician Diploma in Electronic Engineering or the Final Certificate for Electrical or Electronic Technicians may obtain graduate or corporate membership. This degree of recognition has enhanced the status and reputation of the institute.
Prevocational Schools
Expansion of the prevocational sector has continued rapidly, with the provision of a further 1,080 places for the session which started in September 1973, giving a total of 2,640 places in six prevocational schools.
These schools provide a three-year post-primary course-about 50 per cent general education and 50 per cent practical training. Practical syllabuses usually cover three major fields of industrial or commercial training to ensure that students are introduced to as wide a spectrum of employment as possible. Practical subjects taught include mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, automobile servicing, printing and typesetting, building trades, commercial subjects and textile trades. Additional trades will be included in future schools to suit local requirements. Specialisation is not encouraged at this level, the aim being to introduce basic manipulative skills and to help students choose a suitable career. On leaving a prevocational school opportuni- ties are also provided for students to continue their studies in a technical institute.