XN000022-1979-09-15 — Page 4

3

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1979

ADULT EDUCATION EXPANDING

****

THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS EXPANDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION WHITE PAPER.

THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME CALLS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF ADULT EDUCATION SPECIALISTS TO DEVELOP ADULT EDUCATION CURRICULA AND RELATED ACTIVITIES AND THE CREATION OF NEW POSTS OF LIAISON OFFICERS, AND PART-TIME CLERKS.

AT THE SAME TIME, ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL STAFF WILL BE APPOINTED AND MORE SCIENCE SUBJECTS PROVIDED IN THE UPPER FORMS OF ADULT EDUCATION.

MANY OF THE LIAISON OFFICERS' POSTS HAVE BEEN FILLED BY HEAD TEACHERS AND CHIEF LECTURERS IN ADULT EDUCATION CENTRES WHO ARE GENERALLY IN CHARGE OF THE CENTRES WHILE PART-TIME CLERKS ARE BEING APPOINTED TO RELIEVE TEACHING STAFF FROM CLERICAL WORK.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID: THE LIAISON OFFICERS' MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO LOOK AFTER THE ADMINISTRATIVE WORK AND TO MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. THEIR APPOINTMENT WILL ESTABLISH EFFECTIVE LIAISON BETWEEN THE CENTRES AND THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND ENABLE THE TEACHING STAFF TO DEVOTE MORE TIME ON ACADEMIC WORK.+

IN THE PAST, HEAD TEACHERS AND CHIEF LECTURERS IN ADULT EDUCATION CENTRES ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM CLERICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE WORK IN ADDITION TO THEIR TEACHING DUTIES.

THE PLAN TO PROVIDE MORE SCIENCE SUBJECTS IN UPPER FORMS REQUIRES ADDITIONAL LABORATORY TECHNICIANS AND FACILITIES FOR PRACTICAL WORK.

THE SPOKESMAN URGED SCHOOL AUTHORITIES TO HELP MAKE THIS DEVELOPMENT PLAN A SUCCESS BY ALLOWING STUDENTS OF ADULT EDUCATION CENTRES TO USE THE IR LABORATORY FACILITIES.

HE ALSO REVEALED THAT A SUM HAS BEEN SET ASIDE TO PURCHASE CHEMICALS AND OTHER PRACTICAL WORK MATERIAL FOR USE IN THE LABORATORY.

THE ADULT EDUCATION SECTION OPERATES 144 CENTRES THROUGHOUT HONG KONG WITH A TOTAL ENROLMENT OF 25 773 IN 754 CLASSES.

IN ADDITION, 16 ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES WITH A REGISTERED MEMBERSHIP OF 47 000 WERE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SEPTEMBER 11. THESE CENTRES PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF HOBBY COURSES IN MORE THAN 320 GROUPS.

+ALL FORMAL CLASSES IN ADULT EDUCATION CENTRES BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10 AND THERE ARE STILL SOME VACANCIES IN JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSES AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S COURSE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO ENROL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

0

14..