EDUCATION
Special schools and special education classes generally follow the ordinary school curriculum with adaptations or special syllabuses, where appropriate, to cater for varied learning needs. On the advice of the Curriculum Development Council, the Education Department has developed curriculum guides for different categories of children with varying special educational needs and Target Oriented Curriculum (Special Education) on specific subjects and areas of study. A Guide to Curriculum for Maladjusted Children was completed and published this year.
In 1998, the Education Department completed a review on the three-year pilot school-based programmes for academically gifted pupils. It found the project had a positive impact on schools and pupils involved, and suggested further development and expansion of school-based programmes and other gifted education services. Supported by the educational psychologists and curriculum officers, 17 primary schools are developing school-based gifted education programmes.
The Fung Hon Chu Gifted Education Centre continues to develop centre-based enrichment programmes for gifted students. It also provides regional in-service training for teachers, other teaching professionals and parents to promote the understanding of the educational needs of gifted students and the development of school-based education services.
Information Technology in Education
In his 1997 Policy Address the Chief Executive announced that a five-year strategy for information technology (IT) in education would be formulated to promote the use of IT to enhance teaching and learning. The government finalised the strategy in November 1998. Its vision in promoting IT in education is, through harnessing the powers of IT:
• to turn schools into dynamic and innovative learning institutions where students can become more motivated, inquisitive and creative learners;
⚫ to link up students with the vast network of knowledge and information to enable
them to acquire a broad knowledge base and a global outlook;
•
to develop students' capabilities to process information effectively and efficiently; and
⚫ to develop in students the attitude and capability for independent life-long
learning.
To realise this vision, four missions will be:
⚫ to provide adequate IT facilities, including network facilities, for students and
teachers to enable them to access information;
• to encourage key players in the school system to take up the challenges of their respective new roles. This is particularly important with regard to teachers;
⚫ to integrate IT into school education meaningfully through necessary curriculum
and resource support; and
•
⚫ to foster the emergence of a community-wide environment conducive to the
culture change.
The government will assume the leadership and co-ordination role, provide a threshold level of hardware for schools, training for teachers and any necessary
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