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EDUCATION
Kong Polytechnic and the Labour Department in an effort to achieve co-ordinated development in technical education.
There were about 2,545 full-time students, 5,574 part-time day students and 13,375 part-time evening students in the 1978–9 session. The number of part-time day students has increased by more than 200 per cent during the past two years; this has been assisted by the designation of 31 trades under the Apprenticeship Ordinance.
The technical institutes since September, 1977, have adopted a credit-unit system for their technician study programmes. This provides greater flexibility and allows for the broadening of overseas' recognition of institute certificate and diploma awards through the Technician Education Council in Britain. The validated programmes carry accreditation and recognition from a large number of institutions and profes- sional societies, both locally and overseas.
A fifth technical institute, situated in Kowloon Tong, is expected to open on a limited scale in September, 1979, but the project will not be completed until 1980. It will offer courses in aeronautical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, heavy vehicle repairs, horology, optical studies, footwear technology, commercial design and general studies. A sixth technical institute is planned for the new town of Tuen Mun in the New Territories.
Post-Secondary Education
A college can be registered under the Post-Secondary College Ordinance only when the Director of Education is satisfied with its academic standards, governing body, constitution, finance, educational facilities, the number and qualifications of staff, and the conditions for admitting students. The Hong Kong Baptist College, the Hong Kong Shue Yan College and Lingnan College are the only institutions registered under this ordinance.
The Hong Kong Baptist College, built on a site granted by the government, was registered in 1970. It has four faculties arts, business, social sciences, and natural sciences and engineering - with an enrolment of 3,473 students. Sixteen departments cover 18 major fields in three types of courses. The college receives an interest-bearing loan from the government and students may apply for interest-free loans to help pay tuition fees.
The Hong Kong Shue Yan College, registered in January, 1976, consists of three faculties arts, social sciences and commerce - with an enrolment of 2,372 students. The college has 11 departments and offers day and evening courses.
Lingnan College was registered in October, 1978. It has faculties of arts, business and music with an enrolment of 409 students.
In the 1978 White Paper on The Development of Senior Secondary and Tertiary Education, the approved post-secondary colleges were invited to restructure their courses to provide two-year courses at the sixth-form level, followed by further two- year courses at the post-Form 6 level leading to professional or vocational qualifica- tions. Financial assistance is to be provided to the colleges in respect of students en- rolled on these courses. The colleges may also offer additional one-year courses for students completing the two-year post-Form 6 courses who have demonstrated the ability to proceed to a higher award. There will be a student finance scheme for those at the post-Form 6 level.