ENG-1981 — Page 125

EDUCATION

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camping and dancing in schools; Services, which is responsible for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and physical education in special schools; and Training, which runs in-service courses for physical education teachers and arranges inter-school sports activities.

In 1981, a total of 23 courses and seminars were conducted for physical education teachers. The first physical education courses to be run on a district basis for primary schools were well supported by schools and teachers. In August, a special workshop for secondary school teachers looked at Motor Development in Children and Adolescents. It was conducted jointly with the Hong Kong International School.

In support of the International Year of Disabled Persons, a series of outdoor education camps was conducted for physically-handicapped and mentally-retarded children. The Physical Education Section also was heavily involved in the Disabled Children's Invitation International Games held in Britain and the 1981 Pan Pacific Special Olympics in Hong Kong. Staff of the section devoted much time and effort to coaching athletes and organising functions.

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In addition to the annual Schools Dance Festival – which involved 3 000 pupils from 234 schools the section was responsible for the first Interport School Dance Performance between Hong Kong and Macau (which took place in May), and a mass dance performance of 250 pupils at the Mid-Autumn Festival in Sha Tin, in September.

With subventions of about $329,000 from the Hong Kong Government and $715,000 from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Physical Education Section of the Education Department was able to organise an extensive summer recreation programme for about 280 000 school children.

Community Youth Club

The Community Youth Club (CYC) continued to aim its activities towards sharpening members' awareness of their civic rights and responsibilities. Major undertakings included the third series of the Community Youth Challenge television programme, the Know Your Government project, the Rights of a Consumer cartoon competition and exhibition, and the Safety of Children poster competition. These were organised in association with Radio Television Hong Kong, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Consumer Council, and the Medical and Health Department, respectively. Other competitions and exhibitions were staged on the themes Don't Throw Things from Buildings, and fire prevention. A total of 404 schools participated in the six competitions.

At the district level, the CYC district committees continued to warn against drug abuse and smoking, and to promote community activities such as Clean Hong Kong, conserve the countryside and care for the under-privileged. Exhibitions and quizzes on Know Your District were also organised.

Over 3 000 members gained the Stage I award of the CYC Merit Award Scheme. The scheme requires members to set an example of good citizenship by service to the community.

School Library Scheme

The school library service continued to improve in 1981 with an increased number of school librarians and greater financial assistance. In August, 1979, approval was given to secondary schools in the public sector with 18 classes, or more, to have a school librarian of the non-graduate grade. Then, from September, 1980, the library grant was raised to $10 per pupil per year for all government and aided secondary schools, irrespective of their size.