XN000022-1996-05-15 — Page 34

(c)

(d)

- 18 -

A school can make use of its existing accommodation, such as covered playground or assembly hall, to cater for students staying in school for lunch. We consider the present arrangement to be both flexible and cost-effective. Providing additional accommodation solely for students to use during lunch break will not be an optimal way of using space in view of the sizeable area required and the low utilisation rate.

We agree that parent-teacher associations can play an active role in managing and monitoring meal arrangements in schools and promote healthy eating habits among students. Through the new guidelines to be issued in October 1996, the Education Department will encourage schools to involve their parent-teacher associations in the co-ordination groups on meal arrangements in schools.

It is also important to cultivate in students good eating habits and a healthy lifestyle. Education on health and nutritional value is promoted through the teaching of a number of subjects namely, Health Education, Social Studies and Science at the primary level and Home Economics, Social Studies and science subjects at the secondary level. Through these subjects, students will learn about the effects of various types of food on the body and food hygiene, and will understand the importance of a balanced diet to personal health.

In addition, the Education Department organises regular in-service education programmes to enhance and update teachers' knowledge on food nutrition and meal arrangements for students.

End

Future development of optical-fibre network

Following is a question by the Hon Henry Tang Ying-yen and a written reply by the acting Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Leo Kwan, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

of the existing capacity of the telephone lines, including optical-fibre network, used for calls transmission;

(b)

of the proportion of the total capacity of the optical-fibre network that is used for calls transmission;