XN000022-1989-11-08 — Page 37

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1989

"IT WILL ALSO REVIEW THE MEASURES TAKEN IN RESPECT OF GRADUATE TEACHERS. AND WILL CONSIDER POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.

MR YEUNG NOTED THAT ANOTHER AREA FOCUSSED ON WAS THE VEXED QUESTION OF MEDIA OF INSTRUCTION AND OF THE STANDARDS OF CHINESE AND ENGLISH.

"VIEWS ARE NOW BEING SOUGHT ON THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WORKING PARTY'S REPORT ON LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES." HE SAID.

"THE CRUX OF THE MATTER IS THAT, ON THE ONE HAND, A LARGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN CAN LEARN MORE EFFECTIVELY IN THE MEDIUM OF CHINESE BUT. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPROVEMENT OF ENGLISH STANDARDS IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS FOR MANY EMPLOYERS. HE NOTED.

"THE PRESENT SITUATION, WHERE MANY SCHOOLS USE A MIXTURE OF BOTH LANGUAGES. RESULTS IN STUDENTS MASTERING NEITHER LANGUAGE SATISFACTORILY," MR YEUNG POINTED OUT.

"IT MAY BE THAT SOME FORM OF STREAMING PROVIDES THE ANSWER. I NOTE THAT STREAMING WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE IN THE ABSENCE OF A VIABLE CHINESE LANGUAGE.

"BUT LET US SUSPEND JUDGEMENT. WE HAVE NOT TAKEN A FIRM VIEW ON THIS ISSUE." HE SAID.

WHEN THE RESULTS OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE DEPARTMENT'S REPORT WERE KNOWN. THE ADVICE OF THE BOARD OF AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION WOULD BE SOUGHT, BEFORE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. MR YEUNG SAID.

EDUCATION EDUCATION FORMULATING

OF

THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE LANGUAGE ISSUE WAS AN EXAMPLE THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE THAT EVERY CHILD HAD THE RIGHT TO BE EDUCATED IN THE WAY FROM WHICH HE OR SHE COULD MOST BENEFIT.

"SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION. A WIDER VARIETY OF CHILDREN HAVE COME TO SCHOOL THAN EVER BEFORE.

"WE NEED TO REFLECT THIS VARIETY IN CURRICULUM, TYPES OF SCHOOL AND METHODS OF TEACHING. THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THIS DIRECTION. BUT IT WILL APPLY ONLY TO A LIMITED NUMBER OP SCHOOLS. MR YEUNG SAID.

"THE EDUCATION

COMMISSION IS THEREFORE LOOKING AT MEASURES WHICH WILL CATER ΤΟ STUDENTS IN ALL SCHOOLS FOR WHOM THE USUAL CURRICULUM IS NOT IDEAL.

·

THESE INCLUDE CHILDREN WITH LOWER ACADEMIC ABILITIES. CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS BEHAVIOURAL OR EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS AND. AT THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM, CHILDREN WITH PARTICULAR TALENTS AND THOSE WHO ARE ACADEMICALLY GIFTED," HE ADDED.

/MR YEUNG