ENG-1971 — Page 132

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EDUCATION

is part of a campaign to gain financial support for a proposed visit to Switzerland in 1973 where the orchestra hopes to take part in an international festival for youth orchestras. Seven visiting examiners conducted the practical examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Entries reached a total of 5,628 thus ena- bling Hong Kong to retain its position as the second largest centre among the 36 countries served by the board. Entries for the Associ- ated Board theory examinations totalled 2,193 and 98 candidates entered for the Trinity College of Music examinations. The annual Children's Examination of the Royal Academy of Dancing attracted 573 entries and the biennial major examinations for senior students and teachers 63 entries.

A major event for schools during the year was the Children's Art Exhibition organised by the City Museum and Art Gallery. Over 10,000 entries were received and the quality of these was higher than in previous years.

RECREATION

The recreational activities programme of the Physical Education Section of the department continues to increase in scope and in the number of participants. The year-round programme for schools in- cludes games competitions in all major sports, gymnastics and dance competitions, sailing and a comprehensive outdoor programme of canoeing and camping.

The promotion of physical recreation activities for the physically handicapped is now pursued throughout the year in training and coaching programmes culminating in an annual paraplegic sports day. Two camps for the physically handicapped were organised in the summer vacation.

The department has become an operating authority for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in Hong Kong and promotes the scheme in various schools.

The summer vacation programme continues to cater for over half a million children. Two new features this year were a series of camps for 700 girls held at Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village and the promotion of the Education Department's ‘learn-to-swim' campaign. This campaign provided a series of six one-hour swimming lessons for over 4,000 children and was an extremely popular and successful programme. As new government swimming complexes open the 'learn-to-swim' scheme will be expanded to operate in all complexes in the summer vacation.