EDUCATION
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sections of 14 special schools. In addition, there were 352 special education classes in ordinary schools providing 5 370 places for the partially sighted, the partially hearing and children with learning difficulties. A two-year pilot project providing medical support for mildly disabled children in non-profit-making kindergartens was launched during the year. Intensive remedial services were also provided by the Special Education Section of the Education Department for children in ordinary classes with learning difficulties and adjustment problems. These services included remedial support outside school hours in resource teaching centres and adjustment units, a peripatetic teaching service in ordinary schools during school hours, and advisory services to schools.
Screening and assessment services are provided to identify special educational needs among school-age children so that remedial action could be taken as early as possible. Primary 1 pupils are screened under the Combined Screening Programme with screening tests for hearing and eye-sight. This programme also provides checklists and guides for teachers to detect children with speech problems and learning difficulties. Pupils requiring further assessment are given audiological, speech or psychological assessment, while those in need of remedial services such as speech and auditory training, speech therapy and counselling are given such services at the Special Education Services Centres.
A centralised braille production unit was established in late 1986. This centre, operated by the Hong Kong Society for the Blind with government subvention, will produce braille reading material and carry out research into the improvement of braille production in both English and Chinese. With the implementation of this centralised braille production service, the Braille Printing Unit of the Education Department has ceased operation.
Two-year part-time in-service courses of training for teachers of children with special educational needs are operated by the Sir Robert Black College of Education. Short courses, seminars, workshops as well as refresher courses are also arranged by the Special Education Section to enhance the professional knowledge of staff in the special education field.
Post-Secondary Education
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There are two approved post-secondary colleges - the Hong Kong Shue Yan College and Lingnan College - registered under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance. The Hong Kong Shue Yan College, registered in 1976, has three faculties arts, social science and business - with 13 departments offering day and evening courses with a total enrolment of 3 905 students. It operates a four-year diploma programme without government financial assistance. Lingnan College, registered in October 1978, has three faculties – arts, business and social science -- and an enrolment of 1 348 students. It offers two-year Form 6 courses and a two-year post-Form 6 higher diploma course, for which it receives government financial assistance. It also offers a fifth year course leading to an honours diploma for students who successfully complete the higher diploma course.
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Students of the two-year post-Form 6 courses at Lingnan College are eligible for grants and loans, the maximum levels for which were revised to $3,500 and $4,200 per annum respectively in the 1986–7 academic year. Loans up to a maximum of $7,700 per annum were available to students in the fifth-year course at Lingnan College and to students in the four-year course at Shue Yan College.
Higher Education
There are five institutions of higher education funded through the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee.