EDUCATION
Beginning in 1989, handicapped children were given the chance to learn through computers. Eighteen special schools were selected to take part in the Computer Education in Special Schools Project. The project aimed to provide students in special schools with the same opportunity of accessing microelectronic technology in education as their counterparts in ordinary schools. Besides using computers to learn, they were also expected to use part of the equipment provided as communication and rehabilitation aids. More special schools are expected to join the project next year.
Physical Education
The Physical Education Section continued to play an important role in advising physical education teachers and organising refresher courses and seminars for them.
The new Curriculum Development Council Secondary Syllabus for Physical Education was introduced to schools, and video tapes and teaching materials relating to the sylla- bus were prepared. The inclusion of this subject in the HKCEE was approved by the Hong Kong Examinations Authority and the examination syllabus was implemented in September.
The section continued to administer the annual Summer Youth Programme for Schools. With funds totalling $3 million, including a donation of $1,416,800 from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Summer Youth Programme attracted 320 000 students and teachers in 3 000 events.
During the year the government announced that a statutory body, the Hong Kong Sports Development Board, would be established on April 1, 1990. Its role would be, inter alia, to strengthen the development of sports in education.
Music Education
Efforts during the year to promote Chinese Music resulted in greater interest amongst students in learning to play Chinese instruments. Contemporary Music was featured in the in-service training courses/seminars organised for music teachers in primary and secondary schools.
Five sets of music textbooks in Chinese were published for junior secondary classes. Curriculum projects on 'Adaptation of the Kodaly Choral Method' in primary and secondary schools were successfully carried out through the School-based Curriculum Project Scheme. Supplements to the English-Chinese Glossary of Terms Commonly Used in the Teaching of Music in Secondary Schools and A List of Reference and Resource Materials for Music in Secondary Schools were published.
The Education Department continued to provide students with opportunities for the further study of music through its Centralised Scheme of Music Training, which offered courses leading to the HKCEE and HKALE in Music.
Teaching and Resource Centres
The Advisory Inspectorate operates seven teaching centres concerned with the teaching of Chinese, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Subjects, Cultural Crafts and Technical Subjects; and six resource centres covering Civic Education, Religious/Ethical/Moral Education, Sex Education, Health Education, Activity Approach and Kindergarten. A Field Studies Centre is open to Secondary 6 and 7 students and teachers.
The Visual Education Section's Audio Visual Resources Library provides a wide range of audio-visual aids on free loan to schools. Its Media Production Services Unit is open to help teachers produce their own teaching aids.
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