Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1969-1970 — Page 32

93. Ten officers of the Department have completed further training during the year: two obtained Master Degree: one in Applied Social Science (Western Reserve University, Cleveland) and one in Educational Psychology specializing in Audio-communicative Disability (New York University); six obtained Diplomas: two in Social Study (Hong Kong University), one in Applied Social Study (University College of Swansea), one in Educational Care and Education of Children (University of Newcastle), one in teaching of mentally retarded children (Bristol) and one in Child Study (University of Toronto); one of the remaining two attended a 3-month Study Tour on Probation and Correctional Services in Britain while the other is expected to attend the 4-month Programme of the Council of International Programmes for Youth Leaders and Social Workers in USA in 1970,

94. By the end of March 1970, 11 officers will be pursuing higher professional training locally or abroad; 8 of them were studying in the United Kingdom and Canada and three at the University of Hong Kong on courses which include such subjects as Social Work, Youth and Community Service, Social Policy and Administration, Residential Child Care and Education and Training of Mentally Disordered Adults.

PRE-SERVICE TRAINING

95. In view of the great demand for day care service for pre-school children in Hong Kong, the Department through its Training Section, initiated a 10 month full time course in Nursery Work, the first of its kind in Hong Kong. The course was specially offered to young people who wish to take up Nursery Work or Child Care Service as their career. Training needs in Nursery Work were assessed prior to the actual planning of the course, through consultation with local experts. The actual programme planning was carried out with the advice of an ad hoc advisory committee. The training was divided into two main parts, class work and field work practice.

96. For the purpose of field work training, existing day nurseries were selected for placements of students and their supervisors served as field work supervisors. In preparation for their task in student supervi- sion, a series of 12 seminars on 'student supervision' was organized for them. 9 graduates from secondary schools were selected after a stringent selection process. The course started in early November 1969 and its completion is anticipated to be in late August 1970.

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