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EDUCATION
Enrolments for the academic year 1976-7 were 5,651 full-time, 2,577 part-time day-release and sandwich, and 15,371 evening students. These compare with the corresponding student numbers of 4,170, 2,463 and 14,299 in 1975-6.
During 1976 the number of teaching departments increased from 14 to 15. They are: accountancy; applied science; building and surveying; business and management studies; civil and structural engineering; computing science; design; electrical en- gineering; electronic engineering; languages; mathematical studies; mechanical and marine engineering; nautical studies; production and industrial engineering; and textile industries.
The Polytechnic offers two-year full-time courses leading to the technician or ordinary diploma; three-year full-time courses leading to the higher diploma; and one-year full-time post-higher diploma courses leading to the award of Associateship of the Hong Kong Polytechnic, AP (HK). Also offered are part-time day-release and sandwich courses of various durations, and many part-time evening courses leading to the higher, ordinary or technician certificates or other qualifications in a wide range of technical and commercial subjects at professional and technician levels.
To satisfy the minimum entrance requirements to full-time courses, candidates are expected to have gained the Hong Kong Certificate of Education or an equivalent qualification. They must also satisfy any additional requirements for admission into the particular courses for which they apply.
A number of British professional institutions have granted exemptions from certain parts of their examinations to holders of Polytechnic higher diplomas. Six associateship courses were offered in 1975-6: electrical, electronic, mechanical, pro- duction, structural engineering, and textile technology.
Short full-time and part-time courses preparing candidates for professional examinations are organised throughout the year. These include qualifications approved by the British Department of Trade and Industry for marine engineers, mates and masters. Whenever there is a need for instruction in specific subjects of current in- terest to local commerce and industry, or to a sufficient number of individuals, the Polytechnic tries to offer short courses to meet the demand. Those in the fields of accountancy, building technology, radar operation, and textile studies were partic- ularly popular during the year.
Teachers and Teacher Education
In March 1976 there were 37,290 full-time and part-time teachers employed in government and registered day schools including 8,933 university graduates and 19,017 non-graduates qualified for teaching. Another 6,656 teachers were engaged in tutorial and evening classes and 251 were in special schools. At the end of the 1975-6 school year, the overall ratio of pupils to teachers was 32 in primary day schools and 30.1 in secondary day schools.
Except for technical teacher training, teacher education is provided at the Educa- tion Department's three colleges of education-Grantham, Northcote and Sir Robert