ENG-1990 — Page 182

EDUCATION

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Fee Remission Scheme

The Fee Remission Scheme is aimed at enabling students to continue their senior secondary education without placing an undue financial burden on their parents. In 1989–90, 36673 students received assistance under this scheme.

Technical Education

Eight technical institutes are operated by the Vocational Training Council and they provide a total of 340 courses at craft (or post Secondary 3) and technician (or post Secondary 5) levels with full-time, block-release, part-time day-release and part-time evening attendance. All full-time courses are of either one or two years duration. Most part-time courses require attendance of two to three years. Numerous short courses are also offered and these are mainly designed to update the knowledge and skills of people in employment.

The main disciplines covered by the institutes include: applied science, environmental studies, chemical technology, food technology, clothing, commercial studies, accountancy, computing studies, construction, design, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, general studies, child care, hairdressing, hotel-keeping and tourism studies, industrial technology, marine engineering and fabrication, mechanical engineering, motor vehicle engineering, printing and textiles. Most technician level courses have been validated by the United Kingdom Business and Technician Education Council (BTEC) and students attending these courses are able to register for the BTEC awards.

The demand for places on most courses remained high. Enrolments for the 1990–91 academic year totalled 12 300 full-time, 15 600 part-time day and 29 600 part-time evening students. To cater for the very large enrolment, many evening classes had to be conducted in rented school premises.

A number of new courses were offered including: Diploma in Company Secretaryship and Administration; Certificate for Accounting Technicians; Certificate in Air Freight Forwarding; Certificate in Office Computing; Certificate in the Use of Office Computing Software; Certificate in Building Studies (Architectural); Certificate in Building Measure- ment; Certificate for Electrical Installation Technicians; Certificate in Outbound Travel Operations, and Certificate for Watchkeeping Engineering Officers.

In September 1990, the number of full-time teaching staff in the technical institutes was about 870 and there were some 800 supporting staff and 2 230 part-time lecturers.

Some 6150 full-time, 3640 part-time day-release and 9670 part-time evening students completed their courses of study in July 1990. An employment survey of graduates from full-time courses again showed that they had little difficulty in finding employment in their respective disciplines after completing their studies.

Industrial Training

Industrial training is promoted and co-ordinated by the Vocational Training Council.

The council administers and operates a number of industry-wide training schemes for the major industries and assists individual employers in setting up or improving their own staff training schemes. Young persons wishing to obtain organised training may approach the council for assistance.

In 1990, the council continued to operate 16 training centres for training manpower for the automobile, banking, electrical, electronic data processing, electronics, gas, hotel,