THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1986
SEPARATE COLLEGE NEEDED FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS
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A SEPARATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION FOR TRAINING KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS IS REQUIRED IN HONG KONG, THE HON MRS PAULINE NG SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS NG SUGGESTED THAT A ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME COURSE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE PRE-SERVICE TRAINING FOR PROSPECTIVE KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS.
AS FOR SERVING TEACHERS, SHE SAID THAT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WERE FAR FROM ADEQUATE AND CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ORGANISE MORE PART-TIME COURSES.
MRS NG POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WERE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE ANY FORMAL TRAINING AND THE PART-TIME
IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROVIDED BY THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD AN ANNUAL INTAKE OF ONLY 600.
+THREE-TO-FIVE YEAR OLDS ARE AT A VERY IMPRESSIONABLE AGE
AND THEY DO LEARN A LOT IN THE IR PRE-SCHOOL YEARS.
+ IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE DEDICATED AND PROPERLY TRAINED TEACHERS IN KINDERGARTENS.
+1 PROPOSE THAT TRAINING FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS SHOULD BE FURTHER DEVELOPED. MORE FUNDS SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR TRAINING PRE-PRIMARY TEACHERS, SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE PROMOTION OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, MRS NG SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER GIVING A RENT ALLOWANCE TO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TO ENCOURAGE, AND ASSIST, THEM TO SET UP OFFICES IN THE IR OWN DISTRICTS.
SHE BELIEVED THAT A LIAISON OFFICE IN THE FIELD COULD GREATLY IMPROVE THE WORK OF A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER.
+WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, PARTICULARLY AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ARE PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN ACTING AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE AND IN SECURING REDRESS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AGAINST DECISIONS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
+DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS NEED AN OFFICE TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND TO GATHER PUBLIC VIEWS,+ SHE SAID.
HOWEVER, SOME DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN AN OFFICE BECAUSE OF HIGH RENTS CHARGED FOR COMMERCIAL PREMISES IN SOME AREAS.
/REFERRING TO