EDUCATION
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maintenance of degree and related programmes. Lastly, consideration is being given to bringing the HKIEd under the aegis of the UGC.
Site formation work for the institute's new campus in Tai Po started in early 1995. Estimated to cost $2,312 million, the new campus will provide purpose-built academic, sports and amenities facilities and should be completed in 1997.
Pre-service and in-service teacher education programmes, at sub-degree and degree levels, are also provided by some tertiary institutions funded through the UGC. In- service professional development courses for teachers are also provided by the Education Department and professional organisations.
Management Courses
The Education Department provides basic training in educational management and administration for primary/secondary school heads and senior teachers, and professional officers of the Education Department. Special school-based team- building workshops were conducted for teachers in secondary schools which joined the SMI Scheme in 1994–95.
The Council on Professional Conduct in Education
The council, set up in 1994, is a non-statutory body to promote professional conduct in education, draw up operational criteria defining the conduct expected of an - educator, and advise the Director of Education on cases of disputes or alleged professional misconduct. It has 25 elected members from schools and educational organisations, and three members appointed by the Director of Education. It aims to enhance the image and professionalism of teachers and to attract more high-calibre young people to join the teaching profession.
Support Services
A wide range of services, mostly provided or supported by the Education Department, reinforce teaching and learning in schools. The Education Department's Educational Research Section conducts research, develops tests, evaluates education programmes and monitors educational standards. The Hong Kong Attainment Tests developed by this section are administered yearly by primary and secondary schools to diagnose areas of strength and weakness so that appropriate guidance, counselling and remedial teaching can be provided. The results also help the Education Department to monitor standards over the years and across grade levels. This section also compiled education indicators for the school education system, and conducted an evaluation of the implementation of the medium of instruction grouping.
The department encourages a whole-school approach to student guidance. The Student Guidance Section organises workshops and seminars in support of this approach and provides training to Student Guidance Officers/Teachers. It enforces compulsory education through identification of school dropouts and providing follow-up services, and ensures an adequate provision of study room facilities.
The Educational Services Liaison Sub-committee of the Board of Education has monitored the department's performance since the publication of its performance pledges. The monitoring results show the department fulfilled over 99 per cent of its major performance pledges during the year. To explore the feasibility of extending