WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1987
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OBJECTIVES OF RESIDENTIAL TRAINING OUTLINED
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THE BROAD OBJECTIVE OF RESIDENTIAL TRAINING IN A DISCIPLINED AND CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT IS TO BRING ABOUT CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR AND SOCIAL ATTITUDES SO THAT YOUNG OFFENDERS WILL BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO LIVE AS LAW-ABIDING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AFTER THEIR DISCHARGE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MRS ROSANNA TAM.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AT PRESENT RAN SEVEN HOMES FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS WHO WERE SUBJECT TO PROBATION ORDERS WITH RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OR SENTENCED BY COURTS TO A PERIOD OF RESIDENTIAL TRAINING.
THE COURSE CONTENT AND TEACHING METHODS OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS HOMES WERE SUBJECT TO REGULAR REVIEWS, BOTH BY THE DEPARTMENT AND BY SPECIALIST OFFICERS FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO CHECK IF THEY WERE IN LINE WITH THE NEEDS OF THE SOCIETY, HE SAID.
+ THE 1983 REVIEW NOTED THAT AS MOST OF THE TRAINEES HAD VERY LOW EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, POOR WORK DISCIPLINE AND WERE MORE ORIENTED TOWARDS PRACTICAL SUBJECTS, IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE COURSES SHOULD PROVIDE TRAINING FOR SEMI-SKILLED JOBS, HE ADDED.
THE REVIEW ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSES IN THESE HOMES SHOULD BE MORE INTENSIVE SO AS TO BETTER EQUIP THE TRAINEES FOR EMPLOYMENT AFTER DISCHARGE.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ALSO HAD PLANS TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME IN THESE RESIDENTIAL HOMES BY EMPLOYING QUALIFIED TEACHING STAFF, INCLUDING TECHNICAL TEACHERS, TO TAKE OVER TEACHING DUTIES FROM SOCIAL WORKERS.
MR CHAMBERS INFORMED THE COUNCIL THAT THE TRAINING PROGRAMME OFFERED TO THE BOYS' AND GIRLS' HOMES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT INCLUDED THE TEACHING OF ACADEMIC SUBJECTS, VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSES AND TRAINING IN SOCIAL SKILLS.
+T HE SUBJECTS TAUGHT IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSES FOR BOYS INCLUDE CARPENTRY, SEWING AND TAILORING, PRINTING, WELDING, ELECTRICAL WIRING, RADIO REPAIRS, MOTOR CAR MAINTENANCE, METAL WORK AND LEATHER WORK THOSE FOR GIRLS INCLUDE SEWING AND TAILORING, KNITTING AND EMBROIDERY, COOKING AND HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT,+ HE SAID.
+EACH PERSON IS GIVEN A CHOICE OF AT LEAST THREE SUBJECTS,+ HE ADDED.
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