156 Education
During the year, the Government organised a series of programmes to further strengthen students' and teachers' sense of national identity. These included a national education symposium, flag raising training for students, and the First Hong Kong Cup Diplomatic Knowledge Contest. In the light of the 2008 Beijing Olympic. Games, the Government will further strengthen national education by organising Olympic-related competitions, dialogues between students and national athletes, interflow activities on the Mainland, and national day extravaganza, and producing relevant learning and teaching materials.
Information Technology in Education
The Government is committed to promoting the use of information technology (IT) to improve learning and to equip students with necessary IT skills to meet the challenges of the information age and to become lifelong learners. All schools are connected to the Internet. The student-to-computer ratios are 4:1 in secondary schools and 6:1 in primary schools.
Language Education
The Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) was set up in 1996 on the recommendation of the Education Commission to advise the Government on language education matters. It also advises the trustee of the Language Fund on the policy and procedures governing the fund's operation. The fund was set up in 1994 to provide financial support for initiatives to improve Hong Kong people's proficiency in Chinese, including Putonghua and English.
Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme
The Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme is implemented in all public sector primary and secondary schools. Native-speaking English teachers work with local English teachers to enhance teaching practices and make learning English more interesting for students. At present, there are about 440 NETs in secondary schools, and some 470 in primary schools.
Professional Development at Schools
Teachers' Professional Development
Following the introduction of the policy framework for teachers' continuing professional development (CPD) in 2003, the Advisory Committee on Teacher Education and Qualifications has been reviewing the implementation of teachers' CPD and will provide further recommendations.
Principals' Professional Development
The Government offers wide-ranging activities to enhance the leadership and professionalism of school principals. In addition, aspiring principals have to attain a Certification for Principalship if they wish to be considered for appointment as principals.
Hong Kong Teachers' Centre
The Hong Kong Teachers' Centre was set up in 1989 to promote continuous professional development of teachers. Conferences, seminars, workshops and