ENG-1977 — Page 249

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RECREATION AND THE ARTS

The regular programme of extension activities was further expanded during 1977 to provide a book report competition for children, lectures on popular science, Chinese classics for adults and two major competitions. Some 23,458 people attended or took part in these activities.

Plans are well advanced for new libraries at Mei Foo Sun Chuen in Kowloon, Chai Wan on Hong Kong Island and Kwai Chung in the New Territories. These libraries, together with a video cassette library at the Yau Ma Tei library, are expected to come into operation in 1978.

The British Council

Valuable contributions to the educational and cultural activities of Hong Kong were made by the British Council during 1977. Assistance was given to government depart- ments and the two universities to enable staff members to visit British universities and other institutions, and to attend specialist courses. The council also continued to arrange for specialists from Britain to visit Hong Kong for consultation with govern- ment departments, the universities and with local experts in their fields.

Two British Council scholarships were awarded for training overseas in the teaching of English. Acting for the Sino-British Fellowship Trust, the council arranged four scholarships for post-graduate studies in Britain. The council also completed placing and travel arrangements for 12 British Commonwealth fellows and scholars from Hong Kong going to Britain.

The council continued to give advice and information to students leaving for further studies in Britain. There was close co-operation with Hong Kong's Education Depart- ment, and a large number of students were met by British Council officers and helped with accommodation on their arrival in London.

The British Council also continued to run English-language courses for teachers of English and students who wished to take part in the first and proficiency certificate examinations of the Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate. Some 4,000 students attended these courses during the year. In April, a new centre was opened in the Easey Commercial Building in Wan Chai. The main administration office was trans- ferred to the Hong Kong Centre, while the library and a sub-office remained in Star House, Kowloon.

To fit into the programme of direct English teaching, the British Council library was reorganised to house only books on English language teaching, English literature, fiction and reference subjects. Books on other subjects were presented to the colleges of education and Urban Council libraries.