EDUCATION
144
The Hong Kong Teachers' Centre
The Hong Kong Teachers' Centre was officially opened in June. The aim of this multi- purpose centre is to promote continuous professional development and a greater sense of unity and professionalism among teachers. An Advisory Management Committee was formed with wide representation from teacher organisations and individual teachers in schools. The committee, together with its standing committee, working groups and sub- committees, successfully organised the first series of professional development activities for teachers.
School Library Services
School library services expanded with the employment of more school librarians in secondary schools. In the school year 1988-9, 345 schools were provided with either one full-time or one half-time school librarian. Library grants were increased. A large-scale curriculum project, the 1989 Reading Award Scheme for Secondary 1 to 3, attracted 26 000 students from 190 schools. In primary schools, the class library scheme continued to operate smoothly and a Reading Award Scheme for Primary 5 and 6 was planned. A number of training courses were organised for school librarians, including a computer-
awareness course.
Community Youth Club
The Community Youth Club (CYC) was first established in 1977, as part of the Education Department's effort to build a strong community spirit among schoolchildren through organised activities. These activities aim to inform members about the community and to help them develop into concerned and caring individuals.
The CYC has been very successful in helping to promote moral and civic education in schools and has contributed substantially to community service campaigns in Hong Kong. Its aims are summed up in its motto: 'Learn, be concerned and serve'. 270 000 students from 1000 primary and secondary schools took part in its activities. Nineteen district committees co-ordinate activities at the local level.
Thousands of members have gained awards under the CYC Merit Award Scheme, which requires them to set examples of good citizenship by offering services to the community. Overseas educational visits for outstanding members are the highlight of the scheme. This year, a team of 37 members visited Malaysia and Singapore during the summer.
Educational Television
Educational television (ETV) programmes, produced jointly by the department's Educa- tional Television Section and Radio Television Hong Kong, provide a useful audio-visual supplement to classroom teaching. Viewing of ETV programmes has become a normal part of school life in Hong Kong. In the 1988-9 academic year, 350 000 primary and 260 000 secondary school students watched ETV programmes.
Programmes are transmitted to schools through the two local commercial television stations. Programme contents are drawn from the syllabuses used in primary and secondary schools. Programmes for secondary schools cover Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science at the Secondary 1 to 3 level, while those for primary schools cover the same five subjects and Health Education at Primary 3 to 6 levels. As support materials to these programmes, teachers are provided with suggestions for preparation and follow-up activities, while students are provided with exercise and activity sheets.