ENG-1961 — Page 160

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EDUCATION

provides free schooling for homeless young women and children in its care.

Other welfare agencies which contribute to the educational effort include the YMCA, YWCA, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, and the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association. The Children's Play- ground Association, the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides Associations, and the Rotary Clubs, also give assistance. The Education Depart- ment works closely with the Social Welfare Department on Special Schools and voluntary agencies, and is represented at the meetings of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. The Department associates closely with the Medical and Health Department in health educa- tion and with the Hong Kong Teachers Association in the profes- sional sphere.

LIBRARIES

Libraries are maintained by the British Council, the United States Information Service, the local Chambers of Commerce, a number of Government departments including the Education Department, and the University of Hong Kong; access to the University and some of the official libraries is restricted. A Public Library will be opened in the new City Hall early in 1962. Books, pamphlets, journals and visual-aid material are distributed by the Government Information Services Department, the British Council, various consular authorities and commercial agencies.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

During the summer vacation several schools took part in newly organized courses designed to promote interest in healthy outdoor activities such as canoeing and camping. The supply of equipment for this scheme is improving, and plans for developing more courses of this type, which are proving very popular, are being prepared. An encouraging feature is the interest of schools in building their own canoes.

Regular supervision of teachers and physical education in all grades of schools has been carried out during the year, and courses in in-service training for trained and untrained teachers were held during the summer vacation.