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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 1980
+WITH THIS CENTRALIZED ARRANGEMENT, A CURRICULUM CAN BE DEVELOPED TO ENSURE THAT THE TRAINED WORKERS ARE CAPABLE OF WORKING IN ALL KINDS OF PRE-SCHOOL INSTITUTIONS.+
HE CONSIDERED THAT THE ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION FOR ADMISSION TO THIS COURSE SHOULD BE AT THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION LEVEL SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THE TRAINEES CAN DERIVE MAXIMUM BENEFITS FROM THE COURSE AND ARE CAPABLE OF MEETING THE DEMANDS ARISING FROM THE IR PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES LATER ON.
DR HO ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE DIRECT SUBSIDY FOR APPROVED NON-PROFIT-MAKING KINDERGARTENS.
HE GAVE THREE REASONS FOR THIS SUGGESTION:
* KINDERGARTENS NEED FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN ORDER TO PROCURE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT AND TO REPLENISH TEACHING AIDS AND FIT OUT PREMISES TO MEET SPECIFIED REQUIREMENTS-
* THE SALARIES FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS SHOULD BE REVISED
UPWARD TO REFLECT THE LEVEL OF TRAINING REQUIRED AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN, AND
* WITHOUT FINANCIAL SUBSIDY FROM THE GOVERNMENT, THE INCREASED
OPERATIONAL COSTS RESULTING FROM THE GRADUAL REDUCTION IN CLASS SIZE WILL BE PASSED ON TO THE PARENTS AND THIS MAY PROHIBIT THEM FROM SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO KINDERGARTENS.
THE HON ANDREW SO DREW ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY PROPER CHILD CARE.
HE SAID THE FIRST THREE YEARS ARE THE MOST CRUCIAL YEARS OF A CHILD'S LIFE.
+THESE ARE THE YEARS WHEN THE CHILD IS MOST VULNERABLE.
+THEY ARE THE YEARS WHEN THE CHILD IS DEVELOPING MOST QUICKLY PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY, HE ADDED.
MR SO QUERIED WHY THE GREEN PAPER DID NOT CONSIDER THESE VITAL THREE YEARS AND SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO MORE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
* FORMULATE A FAMILY AND CHILD-ORIENTED POLICY IN THE CONTEXT
OF AN OVERALL SOCIAL POLICY FOR HONG KONG-
* PROVIDE MORE COUNSELLING SERVICES TO PARENTS-
* TRAIN MORE QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TO SHAPE THE COURSE OF
PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION, PREFERABLY BY THE EARLY ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROPER PRE-SCHOOL TEACHERS TRAINING COLLEGE
* ENCOURAGE THE PUBLICATION OF PARENTS MAGAZINES, AND THE
PRODUCTION OF TV AND RADIO PROGRAMMES FOR PARENTS, TEACHERS AND CHILDREN, AND
* RECRUIT QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TO GIVE EXPERT OPINIONS ON THE
LEARNING VALUE OF THE MANY TYPES OF TOYS ON THE MARKET.
DEBATE ON THE MOTION RAISED BY MISS BENNETT WAS ADJOURNED.
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