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EDUCATION
adolescents to qualify themselves at the Hong Kong Certificate of Education level. To improve proficiency in English and enhance job opportunities and career advancement, English courses at primary, secondary and GCE levels were run, preparing students to sit for the English Language Paper (Syllabus B) of the HKCEE and the GCE 'O' Level Examination. At the post-secondary level, the Evening School of Higher Chinese Studies offered school leavers short courses in Chinese language, classics and culture for personal enrichment. Under the credit unit system, students may be awarded a diploma if they are able to accumulate the required units within five years. The teachers' courses provided refresher courses for serving teachers in a variety of academic and cultural subjects. During the year, over 20 000 people enrolled in these formal courses.
Non-formal education was promoted through a variety of cultural, social, recreational and educational activities. The adult education courses (practical background) offered in 30 centres taught practical skills such as sewing and knitting, cookery and woodwork for household purposes. Over 4 000 students attended these courses during the year. Many creative and educational activities were organised in 18 Adult Education and Recreation Centres to stimulate social awareness, cultivate creative ability and to develop individual talents and skills. Various activities were organised with other government departments and organisations, such as the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Con- sumer Council and the St John Ambulance Brigade. During the year over 17 000 people participated in the courses. Microcomputer courses were also run for members of the Adult Education and Recreation Centres with a total enrolment of about 600 during the year.
Voluntary agencies continued to assist the department to run courses through a subven- tion scheme to complement and supplement adult education services in various areas. The scope of the scheme has been broadened to meet the changing needs of the community. In 1987-8, government subsidies were granted to 180 projects operated by 61 organisations.
Language in Education
To improve the quality of Chinese teaching, the Education Commission's Report No. 1 recommended that an additional graduate teacher of Chinese be provided to every public-sector secondary school with 18 classes or more. This recommendation will be implemented in September 1988. For those schools with fewer than 18 classes, an additional half non-graduate post for a teacher of Chinese has been provided since September 1986.
On the teaching of English, the report recommended that secondary schools which use Chinese as the instructing medium should be given additional teachers and other resources to strengthen the teaching of English so as to avoid any drop in standards because of reduced exposure to the language. This recommendation will be implemented from September 1988.
To evaluate the effect on English teaching in Hong Kong secondary schools of having at least two expatriate teachers of English in a school, a two-year Expatriate English Language Teacher Pilot Scheme was introduced in September 1987. Expatriate teachers for this scheme have been recruited by the British Council, which is employing them on contract terms for two years. The scheme is being closely monitored by both the British Council and the Education Department.
A Chinese Textbooks Committee (CTC) was established in May 1986 with the task of assessing the demand for such textbooks, in the light of the policy of encouraging schools to adopt Chinese as the medium of instruction, and to ensure the availability in time for the 1989-90 school year of an adequate supply of Chinese textbooks of good quality and