ENG-1982 — Page 119

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EDUCATION

formal education courses in day schools. These courses and activities are provided by the Evening School of Higher Chinese Studies, the Evening Institute, 16 Adult Education and Recreation Centres, and 19 subvented voluntary organisations.

A credit unit system was introduced in September for the diploma course, offering studies in Chinese literature, philosophy and sociology to secondary school-leavers, run by the Evening School of Higher Chinese Studies. Previously of three years' duration, the course may now be completed over three to five years by taking the basic core units of the diploma course and other units in aspects of Chinese classics and culture.

The Evening Institute offers courses ranging from literacy to secondary and post- secondary studies at its 121 centres. A general Adult Education Course provides funda- mental and elementary education at primary level to meet the educational needs and interests of adults. Parallel to this are practical courses to teach adults such domestic skills as sewing, knitting, cookery and woodwork. There are also two courses at secondary school level the Secondary School Course and the Government Secondary School Course for Adults - which prepare students for the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination. To improve proficiency in English, an English course is offered covering Primary 4 to Form 5 to prepare adult students for the English Language paper (Syllabus B) of the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination. Classes of Form 6 standard are organised to prepare students for the ordinary level English Language paper (Syllabus B) of the General Certificate of Education Examination. At post-secondary level, teachers' courses provide additional in-service professional training in a variety of subjects. During the year, some 23 000 people enrolled in these formal courses.

The 16 Adult Education and Recreation centres organise many cultural, social and recreational activities designed to stimulate individual awareness within the community, to cultivate creative ability and to develop individual talents. Various activities have been organised in collaboration with other government departments and organisations, such as Radio Television Hong Kong, the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Urban Council and Urban Services Department, and the Family Planning Association. During the year, about 20 000 people were enrolled in the non-formal courses.

Adult education retrieval courses run by voluntary bodies were subvented on a recurrent basis, beginning with the 1982-3 school year, due to their success in the previous two years. Altogether, 25 projects from 19 voluntary organisations were granted government subsidies totalling $1.02 million in the 1981-2 school year. This rose to 47 projects from 28 organisations participating in the scheme in 1982–3.

Advisory Inspectorate

The main function of the Education Department's Advisory Inspectorate is to improve teaching standards. This involves visits to schools by subject inspectors to advise on curriculum matters, teaching methods and utilisation of resources, and the provision of in-service training courses, seminars and workshops for teachers. The inspectorate evaluates textbooks and instructional materials; it also carries out educational research and curriculum development. Close liaison is maintained with the universities, the polytechnic, the post-secondary colleges, the Hong Kong Examinations Authority, the British Council, the Consumer Council and other government departments.

During 1982, the various subject committees of the Curriculum Development Committee (CDC) continued their work in the preparation and revision of syllabuses, curriculum guidelines and schemes of work for implementation at pre-primary, primary and secondary levels. Courses, seminars, workshops and conferences relating to the implementation of