ENG-1980 — Page 115

EDUCATION

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During 1980, the various subject committees of the Curriculum Development Committee (CDC) continued their work in the preparation and revision of syllabuses and schemes of work for implementation at both primary and secondary levels. Courses, seminars, workshops and conferences relating to the implementation of new or revised syllabuses were organised for primary and secondary teachers and heads. Numerous CDC journals, newsletters, bulletins and pamphlets were published for distribution to schools to keep teachers abreast of new developments in various subject areas.

The activity approach - in which primary schools are encouraged to adopt a less formal and more child-centred approach to learning, or 'learning by doing' continues to be accepted by teachers as a means to improve teaching in primary schools. During the year, special courses, seminars, workshops and exhibitions were organised for heads and teachers implementing this approach.

The Textbooks Committee continues to give positive guidance to schools on the selection of books. A comprehensive list of recommended textbooks for kindergartens, primary and secondary schools is issued once every three months (March, June, September and Decem- ber). In an effort to improve the quality of textbooks, the committee maintains close links with publishers of educational material.

The Geography Section of the Advisory Inspectorate organised a micro-climate survey in September. Over 130 secondary schools took part and a report of the results was compiled. The survey was useful because it not only provided a source of primary data on environ- mental pollution in Hong Kong but also helped students to gain valuable information and experience in the areas of geography and the environment.

Teaching Centres

The Advisory Inspectorate runs six centres concerned with teaching the Chinese language, English, field studies, mathematics, science and social subjects.

During the year, the Chinese Language Teaching Centre conducted some 35 refresher courses and workshops, which were attended by about 1,400 teachers. The teaching re- sources unit of its Kowloon Centre was open to teachers of primary and secondary schools on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Both primary and secondary schools benefit from the centre's free service for dubbing teaching tapes.

The English Language Teaching Centre organised 45 intensive courses, workshops, seminars and guest talks for 2,182 teachers during 1980. Nearly 400 follow-up visits were made to teacher participants, and a survey of the problem of mixed-ability classes was carried out. Over 2,000 language teaching tapes were issued to 88 schools. The centre has a specialist library containing 5,426 books on English language teaching and linguistics, and a display room for exhibiting modern English-teaching aids.

The Field Studies Centre, located at the Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre, was established in 1979 to enable Middle 6 students to undertake practical experiments and studies in the field. Facilities at the centre include a laboratory, reference library, lecture room and exhibition hall. Four-day residential courses on geography or ecology are pro- vided. The course programme is predominantly academic but recreational activities such as swimming, rope-work, archery and roller-skating are included. Orientation courses for secondary school teachers are also held. More than 1,000 students and over 300 teachers have attended these courses.

In anticipating the introduction of computer studies into the secondary school curriculum in 1981, the Mathematics Section in co-operation with the Chinese University of Hong

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