EDUCATION
the performance pledge programme to schools, a pilot scheme was launched in April covering government schools.
The Advisory Inspectorate advises schools on curriculum implementation, teaching methodology and educational resources; and offers in-service teacher education programmes in the form of short courses, seminars and workshops. Its teaching and resource centres offer resources and advice to kindergarten, primary and secondary teachers about language, mathematics, science, humanities, computer education, cultural crafts, music, kindergarten teaching and cross-curricular issues including civic education, moral education, environmental education, sex/AIDS education and drug education.
The Hong Kong Extensive Reading Scheme was in its fifth year of operation at the secondary level benefiting 68 400 students from 1 710 Secondary 1 to 3 classes. It was extended to Primary 5 and 6, by phases, from September 1995. A total of 5 480 pupils from 137 classes took part in Phase 1 of the scheme.
The Hong Kong Teachers' Centre, set up in 1989 to promote professionalism and a sense of unity among teachers, is supervised by an advisory management committee with wide representation from schools, teacher organisations and educational bodies, with support staff provided by the Education Department. During the year, the centre organised, sponsored or hosted more than 750 activities for 50 000 participants.
Educational television (ETV) programmes offer syllabus-based and enrichment programmes from Primary 3 to Secondary 3 to support and supplement classroom teaching. Subjects covered include Chinese language, English language, mathematics, science, and social studies. Health education programmes are offered to pupils from Primary 3 to 6. Teachers' and pupils' notes are also produced to help teachers fully utilise these programmes. All educational television programmes are jointly produced by ETV and Radio Television Hong Kong and are transmitted to schools by the two local television stations.
A five-year information systems strategy was launched in 1993 to extend the use of information technology in the school education programme. Computer networks are being developed to link up public sector schools with various sections of the department. Teachers and school heads are also involved in the programme development.
The 19 district education offices provide advice and assistance to schools, teachers, parents and students, and facilitate communication with the Education Department. District education officers attend district board meetings for discussion of educational matters.
The Careers and Guidance Services Section organises annual training courses, conferences and workshops for careers/guidance teachers, and operates a guidance teacher resource centre to provide support materials for them. Its careers education centre provides a reference library on careers, local and overseas study opportunities for the use of the public, and a free public advisory service on overseas studies. During the year, about 2 979 students left to study in the UK, 2 603 left for Canada, 4187 for the USA, and 3 579 for Australia. Exhibitions promoting overseas education were staged by organisations of these countries.
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