WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
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"IT IS RECKONED THAT ABOUT 20,000 GIFTED CHILDREN IN THE AGE OF SIX TO 18 ARE CURRENTLY WITHIN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE FIRST STEP IS TO IDENTIFY THEM, MRS FAN SAID.
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WITHIN THE HONG KONG CONTEXT. IT WAS NECESSARY ΤΟ DECIDE WHETHER THESE CHILDREN SHOULD BE PLACED IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS OR SHOULD REMAIN IN AN ORDINARY SCHOOL WHICH WOULD DEVISE SUITABLE PROGRAMMES FOR THEM.
"THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FAVOURED THE LATTER APPROACH BECAUSE SEGREGATION IS NOT BENEFICIAL TO THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF A GIFTED CHILD WHO MAY WELL A BECOME FUTURE LEADER OF THE COMMUNITY, SHE SAID.
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HOWEVER, TEACHERS AND PARENTS NEEDED TO APPRECIATE MORE FULLY AND DEEPLY THE NEEDS OF THESE CHILDREN AND THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT. THERE WAS ALSO A NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCE MATERIAL AND THE SETTING UP OF A RESOURCE CENTRE TO ASSIST TEACHERS.
"THE BOARD OF EDUCATION SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT A PILOT PROJECT TO BE CARRIED OUT IN SOME 20 PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOR THREE YEARS, AND HAVE THAT APPROACH EXTENDED TO 20 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE THIRD YEAR," SHE SAID.
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FAMILIES IN NEW TOWNS NEED HELP
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LOOK CLOSELY INTO MARITAL PROBLEMS CHILD ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THAT OCCUR IN THE NEW TOWNS, AND SHOULD WORK OUT NECESSARY MEASURES TO ASSIST FAMILIES THAT NEED HELP, THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY),
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON CHILD WELFARE, HE SAID THE MEASURES SHOULD INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE DAY-CARE CENTRE PLACEMENTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER SIX, CHILDREN CENTRES OR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMES FOR SCHOOL-AGE STUDENTS, AND FAMILY COUNSELLING SERVICES FOR THOSE NEED OF IN-DEPTH COUNSELLING.
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HE SAID PREFERABLY A TASK-FORCE COMPOSED OF EXPERIENCED SOCIAL WORKERS, POLICE OFFICERS, AND OTHER PERSONNEL OR PROFESSIONALS SHOULD BE SET UP TO DEAL WITH CASES WHICH WOULD COME UP PERIODICALLY.
IF A CHILD HAD TO BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HIS OR HER NATURAL FAMILY DUE TO MORE SEVERE PROBLEMS, CAREFUL ASSESSMENT SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY PROFESSIONALS BEFORE ANY ACTION WAS TAKEN, HE SAID.
"IF IT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD TO STAY IN ANOTHER ENVIRONMENT, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE PROFESSIONAL OR SOCIAL WORKER SHOULD FIRSTLY CONSIDER PLACING THE CHILD IN THE CLOSEST RELATIVES' FAMILY SO THAT HE OR SHE CAN STILL ENJOY A NORMAL LIFE.
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