EDUCATION
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International Schools
International schools form an important social infrastructure of Hong Kong to maintain its status as an international business centre and a vibrant and cosmopolitan community. In September, 23 900 students were enrolled in 44 international schools offering curricula such as American, Australian, British, Canadian, French, German- Swiss, Japanese, Korean and Singaporean. In the 1999–2000 school year, 23 of these international schools operated up to secondary level, and 35 at primary level. There were 29 kindergartens and a special school.
Diversity in School Operation
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Over 90 per cent of the school places are government-funded. Few private independent schools operate entirely on their own. In view of diverse community and values, fast changing technology and increasing globalisation, there is a need to inject more variety into the school system so as to give parents wider choices. New measures to facilitate the development of quality Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools and non-profit-making private independent schools were introduced on a pilot basis in
1999.
First, the level of subsidy for non-profit-making DSS schools was increased, including the provision of grants for DSS schools to upgrade their facilities and undertake major repairs and slope repairs. Second, four new government-built secondary school premises were allocated to school operators to run non-profit- making DSS secondary schools from 2000-01 school year. To enhance accountability, successful applicants would enter into a 10-year service agreement with the Government. A comprehensive review will be conducted on the schools' performance after they have operated for five years.
Third, the Government allocated two school sites at nominal premium to school operators to build non-profit-making private independent schools which would not receive recurrent subsidy from the Government. The successful applicants would also be provided with a capital grant for construction of the school building. The schools would enter into a 10-year service agreement with the Government, committing themselves to the provision of quality education. The Government may periodically review the performance of the schools during the term of the service agreement.
Teacher Education and Quality
Pre-service and in-service teacher education programmes, at sub-degree and degree levels, are provided by tertiary institutions funded through the University Grants. Committee (UGC). In-service professional development courses for teachers are provided by the Education Department, the Hong Kong Baptist University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) and the University of Hong Kong (including their respective continuing and professional education units), the Open University of Hong Kong and professional organisations.
In the 1998-99 academic year, the HKIEd offered 49 courses for about 9 000 full- time and part-time students. These included pre-service Certificate in Education programmes; in-service initial training for kindergarten, primary, secondary, technical, commercial and special education teachers; refresher training courses for serving teachers in primary and secondary schools; advanced courses of teacher