XN000022-1995-09-09+10 — Page 3

. 2

More schools to adopt Target Oriented Curriculum

Some 430 primary schools, representing well over half of the schools participating in the 1996 Primary One Admission exercise, have so far indicated intention to adopt the Target Oriented Curriculum (TOC) in September 1996, an Education Department spokesman said today (Sunday).

The spokesman added that contacts with some schools which expressed worries over TOC had revealed that the schools were, in fact, practising the functions and spirit of TOC.

The spokesman said TOC would be the mainstream curriculum at Primary 1 in the 1996/97 school year and would gradually be extended to higher levels.

He said the Secondary School Places Allocation system in the year 2001 would certainly reflect the switch to the new curriculum when the majority of pupils learning through TOC reached Primary 6 in that year.

"Experience gained in the tryouts of TOC in the last three years showed that pupils learning through TOC are more motivated and responsive in class. Teachers also displayed greater team spirit and are ready to join effort in enhancing pupils' learning.

"Given the demonstrated benefits, it is essential that schools switch to TOC early in order to gain experience and maintain continuity. As a matter of fact, the earlier they switch, the greater benefits it will bring to pupils," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said TOC was designed to address some of the needs of the education system in Hong Kong, for example, downplaying the role of rote learning and encouraging teachers to bring life, interest and active participation into the classroom.

Schools implementing TOC or similar practices will be marked with a letter "T" on the school list for the Primary One Admission exercise for the information of parents.

Information on schools which only decided to practise TOC within the last few days will be displayed at the relevant District Education Offices.

To assist parents to become familiar with TOC, the Education Department will be staging a roving exhibition on TOC at six popular shopping arcades this week. Education Department officers will be on hand to answer any questions from parents.