11.4
Instructional television is a fairly recent development and its contribution to adult education cannot be assessed
satisfactorily at this stage. While the limited range of courses provided by this service may be suited to the needs of Hong Kong, the Government does not consider that it would be feasible to sustain a full programme of higher education based on the media, such as the Open University in the UK, even in a modified form. The requirement for financial resources and academic and technical personnel would be beyond the present capacity to supply.
11.5
The courses provided in the Education Department's Adult Education Section, and the equivalent courses run by voluntary organisations and private bodies will continue to fulfil three main aims. The first of these is to offer "retrieval" general education for those who have not continued their full-time school
education up to Form III. With effect from September 1978 every primary school leaver will have the opportunity for three years of secondary education, and consequently the number of students in this category may be expected to diminish. However, many members of the older generation will require evening courses that help them to advance their general education and in particular their standard of literacy in Chinese. The second aim is to provide courses in practical skills (e.g. sewing, housecraft, woodwork) and cultural and recreational activities. The third aim is to enable students who will have completed school education up to Form III to proceed to study for the HKCE on a part-time basis. As the opportunities for subsidised day-time education up to Form V are expanded, the demand for similar evening courses may be expected to diminish.
11.6
The Government does not have specific targets for the expansion of student numbers in adult education activities. Large numbers of students are already covered by this service and places will be expanded or contracted in accordance with demand. The Government will seek to promote a policy of gradual development that seeks to consolidate what is already being done by improving its quality and extending its scope.
11.7
Adult education is a difficult area for development. Firstly, student participation is part-time and largely voluntary, and hence market considerations are very important. Secondly, adult education relies largely on the use of existing resources in manpower and accommodation, and therefore teachers must be attracted to teach additional courses in their spare time, and school managers must be persuaded to make school premises available for adult classes by being recompensed for wear and tear and the use of consumables. With these considerations
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