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EDUCATION

In conjunction with the ETV programmes, notes for teachers including suggested preparation and follow-up activities are produced and, in the case of primary programmes, notes for pupils are also provided.

To facilitate reception and utilisation of these programmes in schools, TV equipment, including colour television receivers and video-cassette recorders, are provided and installed in all government and aided schools and private secondary schools with 'bought places'. In 1984–5, about $4.8 million was spent on the provision of equipment to these schools.

Hong Kong Examinations Authority

The Hong Kong Examinations Authority, an independent statutory body, administers the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, the Hong Kong Higher Level Examina- tion, and the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination. In 1985, a total of 168 335 candidates entered for the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination; 12 585 candidates entered for the Hong Kong Higher Level Examination; and 18 844 entered for the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination.

The authority also assumes responsibility for conducting a large number of overseas examinations on behalf of various examining bodies in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. These examinations include the General Certificate of Education, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations, and many others which enable students to acquire academic and professional qualifications.

British Council

The British Council's Direct Teaching of English Operation in Hong Kong remains the largest in the world, with 30 500 registrations for the year. The Education Department again commissioned teacher training courses attended by 571 primary and secondary school teachers, as well as two special testing courses for secondary teachers. A computer system was fully commissioned as part of work on Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), and work began on Computer Based English Language Testing (CBELT). Senior professional staff contributed papers and ran workshops in five international conferences, served on official examination and syllabus committees and maintained advisory and consultative roles for the government and private sector in English language teaching and media.

Since late 1984, the council has operated an Educational Counselling Service which, apart from promoting British higher education, counsels students wanting to apply for courses in the United Kingdom and assists in providing accelerated placement. This service, provided free of charge, was begun at the request of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals and the Committee of Directors of Polytechnics in the United Kingdom. Hong Kong students constituted the largest group of overseas students studying in the United Kingdom in 1984.

Under the four scholarship schemes administered by the council, one-year postgraduate scholarships were given in fields including arts administration, visual and performing arts, international relations, distance learning, educational technology and medicine. The number of people from Hong Kong attending British Council specialist courses in the United Kingdom more than doubled to 31. Medical courses were the most popular, and the council also sponsored attendance at seven courses, including special educational needs of handicapped children, microcomputers in schools, and in-service training of library staff. Nineteen visiting specialists from the United Kingdom were sponsored by the Council