ENG-1983 — Page 122

EDUCATION

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College of Education and a refresher training course for serving secondary school teachers at Northcote College of Education. In September, there were 1 525 students in the three-year course; 735 students in the two-year course; 60 students in the advanced course; and 1942 students in the in-service training and retraining courses.

Technical teacher training is offered by the Hong Kong Technical Teachers' College. The college trains technical teachers for secondary schools, prevocational schools and tech- nical institutes. A one-year full-time course is available for mature students who are well qualified and experienced in a technical field and have decided to take up technical teaching as a career. Substantial grants are offered to attract suitable recruits from commerce and industry. The three-year full-time course is for secondary school leavers who have prior studies in either technical or commercial subjects. The one-year full-time supplementary course in design and technology was replaced in September with an advanced course of Teacher Education in Design and Technology. The college also provides in-service courses for serving teachers, and courses for supervisors and instructors employed in industry. In September, there were 199 students in full-time courses and 263 students in part-time and short courses.

Financial assistance in the form of interest-free loans and maintenance grants is provided by the government for students enrolled in full-time courses at the four colleges.

Adult Education

The Adult Education Section of the Education Department provides a wide range of courses and recreational activities for adults and young people who no longer attend formal education courses in day schools. These courses and activities are provided by the Evening School of Higher Chinese Studies, the Evening Institute, 17 Adult Education and Recreation Centres, and 34 subvented voluntary organisations.

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A credit unit system for the diploma course, offering studies in Chinese literature, philosophy and sociology to secondary school-leavers, is run by the Evening School of Higher Chinese Studies. It may be completed over three to five years by taking 12 basic core units of the diploma course and 18 other units in aspects of Chinese classics and culture. The system has proved to be popular and enrolment has increased to more than 1 300.

The Evening Institute offers courses ranging from literacy to secondary and post- secondary studies at its 127 centres. A general Adult Education Course provides education at primary level to meet the needs and interests of adults. Parallel to this are practical courses to teach 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 covering Primary 4 to Form 5 is offered 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 21 000 people enrolled in these formal courses. The 17 Adult Education and Recreation Centres organise many cultural, social and recreational activities designed to stimulate individual awareness within the community, cultivate creative ability and develop individual talents. Various activities were organised with other government departments and organisations, such as the Independent Commis- sion Against Corruption, the Labour Department, the Family Planning Association of