HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
28 June 1989
香港立法局
一九八九年六月二十八日
69
education. Since 1988 we have provided additional teachers to Chinese-medium schools, and encouraged the production of good quality Chinese textbooks. Over the next few months we shall be consulting the schools on measures aimed at improving the effectiveness of English-medium secondary education.
Services for gifted children
Many of our students achieve outstanding academic results. However, our school curriculum is designed to provide a broad and balanced education for all children, and we do not at present make much special provision for those with outstanding gifts. As Mrs. FAN has pointed out many of them are subsequently to be found in this Chamber and might well feel that no special arrangements are needed. Nevertheless, the Education Commission is now studying what could be done, and will make recommendations in its next report, due towards the end of this year.
Meanwhile those with talent in music can join the activities of the Music Office, which provides tuition and performance opportunities in both Chinese and Western music, and in September this year the "" College in Sha Tin will start to admit students specially gifted in sport and the arts.
Sex education
As I said in this Council a few weeks ago, virtually all schools are conducting some sex education. A further survey will be done in the coming school year so that we can assess progress.
Social environment and education
As several Members have quite rightly pointed out, the schools alone cannot bear the whole burden of developing mature, responsible adults. Society as a whole and parents in particular exercise a strong influence on how children grow up. Our schools, however, are not simply knowledge factories. The curriculum has been transformed over the years from a narrowly academic one to one aimed at developing children not only intellectually but also morally and aesthetically. All children now take part in practical and technical subjects. All schools conduct extra-curricular activities, to develop in their students interests which will enrich their lives. All pre-service teacher training includes some child psychology. School guidance teachers and social workers provide advice and help to those with personal problems. Moral education and civic education are an integral part of the curriculum. Recent events must have ensured that all our
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