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EDUCATION
The programmes are produced jointly by the Education Department and Radio Television Hong Kong, and are transmitted by the two commercial television stations. They are based on syllabuses used in local primary and secondary schools, Primary school ETV programmes cover Chinese, English, Mathematics and Social Studies at Primary 3 to 6 levels; secondary school programmes are produced for Forms 1 to 3 in the same four subjects and in Science.
In September 1983, ETV programmes on Science and Health Education were introduced at Primary 3 level to be extended by one level each year to reach Primary 6 in 1986. Additional programmes were also produced for English Language and Social Studies for secondary students.
In conjunction with these programmes, notes for teachers are produced to include suggested preparation and follow-up activities, and in the case of primary school pro- grammes, notes for pupils are also provided.
Necessary TV equipment, including colour television receivers and video-cassette recorders, are provided and installed in all government and aided schools and private secondary schools with 'bought places'. In 1983-4, about $4.6 million was spent on the provision of equipment to these schools.
Hong Kong Examinations Authority
The Hong Kong Examinations Authority, an independent statutory body, began admin- istering the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination in 1978, the Hong Kong Higher Level Examination in 1979, and the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination in 1980. In 1984, a total of 170 825 candidates entered for the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination; 17 226 entered for the Hong Kong Higher Level Examination; and 16 488 entered for the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination.
The authority also assumes responsibility for conducting a large number of overseas examinations on behalf of various examining bodies in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. These examinations include the General Certificate of Education, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations, and many others which enable students to acquire academic and profes- sional qualifications.
British Council
During 1984, the British Council's English language teaching programme was further developed to include computer based English language testing, computer assisted language learning and computerisation of teaching facilities. Refresher courses were attended by 400 primary school teachers and 350 secondary school teachers. The number of students attending general English courses continued to exceed 30 000 while more than 5 000 students attended the summer school. The council also continued its work in testing and evaluation, teacher education and maintained its consultancy and advisory role for the government and the private sector in both English language teaching and media. Library membership almost doubled, reaching 14 763.
Five British Council and four Sino-British Fellowship Trust scholarships were awarded and selection was made for the new Foreign and Commonwealth Office scholarships. In addition, 29 people involved in various fields were brought to Hong Kong from the United Kingdom, and 17 people from Hong Kong visited the United Kingdom. Twenty-two specialists, in fields ranging from bioengineering to literature, also visited Hong Kong from the United Kingdom under the council's auspices.