XN000022-1997-03-14 — Page 5

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He emphasised that students' language proficiency was only one of the seven main areas of improvements to enhance the development of basic education. The other six areas, namely, teaching and learning environment, support services for new arrival children, quality of school education, special education, civic education and information technology education, would also be enhanced by implementing new

measures.

Improvements in the seven main areas will involve a non-recurrent expenditure of $4.145 billion and recurrent expenditure of $929 million a year. The estimated expenditure for 1997-98 is $538 million.

On the information technology education, the Financial Secretary has in his budget proposed to spend $300 million over the next two years for the provisions of multi-media computers to all public sector primary schools, an information technology learning centre in each prevocational and secondary technical schools, and computer training courses to teachers.

Mr Wong noted that the Government would ensure the optimal use of the information technology facilities, and further develop the information technology education in collaboration with the following concerned parties:

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the SCOLAR to study how to use information technology to enhance effective language learning;

the Curriculum Development Council to study how to use information technology to enhance effective learning in other subjects; and

teacher education providers to study how to enhance information technology training for teachers;

He said the information technology would be reviewed on a regular basis and funds would be sought, where necessary, to upgrade or increase information technology facilities in schools.

The Financial Secretary has also proposed to increase the maximum deduction for taxpayers claiming expenses in respect of fees for training courses attended at approved institutions by 66.7 per cent, from $12,000 to $20,000 a year.

Welcoming the proposal, Mr Wong said that it was encouraging and this reflected that the Government was very concerned about the development of continuing education.