TNAG-1073-FCO40-1323-Policy-of-the-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-including-1981 — Page 438

A46

-

be limited to some degree by the forecast shortage

of professional social workers. The front-line

work in primary schools was therefore being carried

out, on an experimental basis, by Student Guidance

Officers (who were teachers who had received training

in counselling, guidance and social work techniques)

although pupils with serious social problems would

be referred to professional social workers. These

Student Guidance Officers would also be supported

by educational psychologists and educational counsellors.

If the scheme was found successful, it would be extended

to all primary schools by the end of 1980. School social

work in secondary schools would be carried out by professional

social workers and was expected to cover all secondary

schools by the end of 1981.

(v) The role of young people within the family would be one

of the main themes of Family Life Education, the general

aim of which was to preserve and strengthen the family

as a unit. This broader approach had proved to be an

effective means of reaching a large population and the

government intended, in conjunction with the voluntary

sector, to provide a comprehensive Family Life Education.

programme in Hong Kong by 1982. The Social Welfare

Department would be responsible for the overall direction

and coordination of Family Life Education services and

for organizing major programmes and publicity campaigns

on a territory-wide basis. This would be achieved by

making staff in each district office specifically

responsible for Family Life Education in close co-

ordination with the voluntary sector. At the district

level, Family Life Education services would be provided