XN000022-1973-08-21 — Page 10

9

ON

J

Tuesday, August 21, 1973

Twelve years ago there were no local training courses provided for

teachers of handicapped children.

At present there were four one-year in-service courses and six

annual short courses. In addition lectures on special education were

given to teachers in training in the colleges of education.

More than 1,100 teachers participated in these courses in the

last academic year and to date 168 teachers had been trained in the one-year

in-service courses.

Speaking about plans for the future, Mr. Canning said that under

the Second Development Programme for Special Education the first aim was to

expand facilities.

"Frovision has been made for 4,000 additional places in special

schools and it is anticipated that ten new special schools will be available

in 1974.

"Provision has also been made to provide 10,000 additional places

in special classes for the less-severely handicapped and plans are in hand

to open 30 additional special classes in government primary schools and 22

special classes in aided primary schools in September, 1973," he said.

On the programme's second aim to increase preventive measures by

providing more diagnostic and remedial services, Mr. Canning said it was

intended to increase these services to provide for 175,000 children a year.

To achieve this the Director said it was planned to have a second

Special Education Services Centre in Kowloon.

He urged all those who have dealings with children suspected of

handicap to refer then to the Special Education Section for assessment and

appropriate remedial treatment.

/The

Page 10Page 11