ENG-1990 — Page 189

EDUCATION

To help schools strengthen environmental education through a cross-disciplinary approach, a working group was set up in September 1989 by the Curriculum Development Council for the preparation of a set of guidelines.

In addition, schools are encouraged to take part in activities organised by government departments or voluntary agencies for the promotion of environmental education. Examples of these activities in the 1989-90 academic year included the Primary School Garden Plot Competition, the School Environmental Awards Scheme 1990, and the guided visits for secondary school students to the Mai Po Marshes.

Sex and AIDS Education

Since the issue of the Guidelines on Sex Education in Secondary Schools in 1986, about 68 per cent of secondary schools have either set up a Sex Education Co-ordinating Committee or appointed a teacher or group of teachers to co-ordinate sex education in their schools. In-service training courses on sex education were organised for teachers. In December, a teaching kit on Sexual Attitudes and Values was distributed to all secondary schools. The Sex Education News, a publication for the dissemination of news and information on school sex education activities, teacher training and teaching resources, as well as for the exchange of views among teachers, was introduced during the year.

A booklet entitled How Much Do You Know About AIDS? to help students achieve a basic understanding of the AIDS issue was distributed to schools early in 1990. To support World AIDS Day on December 1, a poster design competition was organised.

Teaching of Putonghua

During the year, Putonghua was offered as an optional subject in 473 primary schools and 133 secondary schools. To strengthen the teaching of Putonghua, grants are provided for the purchase of teaching aids, reference books and tapes to public-sector schools offering the subject. For secondary schools which cannot offer Putonghua due to timetabling difficulties or lack of teaching staff, a recurrent grant is provided for the employment of part-time instructors to run a Putonghua Special Programme for junior secondary pupils after school hours.

Computer Education

Computer Studies is taught in Secondary 4 and 5 as a HKCEE subject. Following the successful completion of a pilot project, Computer Literacy designed for Secondary 1 to 3 pupils was extended to interested schools. Altogether there were 100 public sector schools teaching the subject.

Beginning in 1989, handicapped children were given the chance to learn through com- puters. Twenty-seven special schools joined the Computer Education in Special Schools Project which aimed to enable students with special needs to utilise the equipment provided as communication and rehabilitation aids. The project is to be made available to all special schools in 1991.

Physical Education

The Physical Education Section plays an important role in advising physical education teachers and organising refresher courses and seminars. As physical education is to be available as an HKCEE subject in 1991, the section is also providing support to secondary schools preparing students for the 1991 examination.

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