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Textbooks to split into volumes
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In response to press reports today (Monday) on the weight of Target Oriented Curriculum (TOC) textbooks and schoolbags, a spokesman for the Education Department said:
"Publishers have responded to a call by the Education Department and are splitting textbooks into separate volumes to reduce their weight.
"As far as TOC is concerned, learning materials of each term are in turn split into two volumes. Students are required to carry to school only one volume at any time.
"As the average weight of each volume of TOC textbook is not much different from that of conventional textbooks, and in some cases even lighter, the new curriculum initiative should not create a significant effect on the weight of schoolbags.
"Meanwhile, the Education Department has so far installed more than 232,000 lockers in primary schools at a total cost of $16.5 million. Pupils with the help of parents are encouraged to make full use of the lockers to avoid making schoolbags unduly heavy."
End
Buildings Ordinance discussed
The Land and Building Advisory Committee had discussed the Buildings (Amendment) Ordinance 1996 and building site safety today (Monday).
Chaired by Dr Cheng Hon-kwan, the Committee noted the amendments brought about by the Buildings (Amendment) Ordinance 1996.
A new registration system had been worked out based on the provisions of the ordinance. There would be two types of contractors, namely registered general building contractors and registered specialist contractors. Only the latter would be permitted to carry out specialised works. This would enhance the quality of building works requiring specialist expertise.
An Authorised Persons Registration Committee and a Registered Structural Engineers Registration Committee would be formed to assist the Building Authority in considering applications for inclusion in the appropriate registers.