XN000022-1995-03-29 — Page 36

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School Education

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On the contrary, spending for the school sector has continued to grow by $2,275 million or a real increase of 3.24% in the coming year. Although smaller than the overall real increase of 4.9% for the education programme as a whole, such increase is nevertheless significant, particularly when viewed against a declining school population - a forecast decrease of 11,000 school children in 1995-96.

Indeed, the continued allocation of additional resources for the school sector has ensured the timely implementation of various improvement measures. Let me list some of these major improvements.

level.

First, the upgrading of another 180 primary school teacher posts to graduate

Second, the extension of the class-size reduction programme from 40 to 35 to Primary Three- or to 30 for those schools adopting the activity approach.

Third, the introduction of the Target Oriented Curriculum for Chinese, English and Mathematics in Primary One classes in over 70 schools.

Fourth, continued special assistance for low achievers by providing 60 more graduate teachers to schools with a higher proportion of low achievers this September, in addition to helping the schools tailor their curriculum to the needs of such students.

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Fifth, capital spending of $1.3 billion to improve the teaching and learning environment in 240 schools - 130 primary and 110 secondary between now and 1997. Among the many extra facilities, this improvement programme will provide an additional 160 secondary classrooms. Together with the new secondary schools coming on stream in the next few years, this will eliminate most if not all of the floating classes now operating at Secondary One to Five.

And last but not least, the Hong Kong Institute of Education introduced in 1994-95 separate Certificate Courses in Education for primary and secondary school teachers in their first major effort to upgrade the quality of our school teachers.

Another major area of concern is on the introduction of some form of direct subsidy to kindergartens. I wish to reassure Members that this is our top priority within the Government. We are working hard to meet the target implementation date in September. We have already made substantial progress in the formulation of detailed proposals. Together with the Secretary for Health and Welfare and taking the advice of the Working Party on Kindergarten Education, we are currently examining the implications of the kindergarten subsidy scheme on the child care sector and necessary improvements. We expect to complete this study within April and seek policy approval as soon as possible thereafter.

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