ENG-1959 — Page 155

126

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

leading to the two School Certificate Examinations; eighteen post- primary extension classes providing an additional three-year train- ing course with practical bias for those who do not anticipate further education at the secondary level; thirty five general back- ground education classes for adults who have not had the oppor- tunity to complete primary school education during childhood, and eighty five practical classes for sewing and knitting, housecraft and woodwork. These are designed to help in the acquisition of skills needed in the home and in everyday life.

The Evening School of Higher Chinese Studies provides a three-year course in General Arts at the post-secondary level. The course is intended for men and women who have passed the School Certificate Examinations and are prepared to spend their evenings in pursuit of advanced studies through the medium of the Chinese language. Among the subjects taught are Chinese Litera- ture, Philosophy, Sociology, Philology, Chinese Poetry, Novels and Drama. English Language and Literature also occupy an impor- tant part of the curriculum.

The scheme for combining education with recreation for the lower income groups of the community was implemented when the first Adult Education and Recreation Centre was opened in October 1955. The success of this centre warranted further expan- sion of the scheme. By December 1958, eight such centres had been opened, and in September 1959, another one was started at Sha Tau Kok in the New Territories, making a total of nine centres: four in Hong Kong, four in Kowloon and one in the New Territories.

U

Each centre is staffed by one organizer, two general supervisors and one specialist supervisor. The services of the latter are nor- mally shared among the centres, so that it is possible for a variety of specialized activities, such as folk-dancing, dramatics, art, music, etc., to be arranged for different groups within each centre. The organizer is responsible for administration and supervision of the centre while the general supervisors direct activities of a less specialized nature such as group discussion, library, games, inter- centre competitions, and personal interviews. In addition there are also special talks on health and citizenship by officers of various Government departments, and instruction is given on hobbies as the demand arises.