ENG-1992 — Page 158

EDUCATION

In response to recommendations in the Education Commission's Report No. 4, a research project was commissioned on education for the gifted, and improvements began to be implemented in services for less able pupils.

International Schools

In keeping with Hong Kong's international character, a number of schools offer curricula designed for the needs of a particular cultural, racial or linguistic group.

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) was established by ordinance in 1967. It operates nine primary schools (known as junior schools), five secondary schools for children whose first language is English, and a special education centre for English-speaking pupils with moderate to severe learning difficulties. The education provided is similar in content and method to that available in Britain, and is aimed at British public examinations. To meet the heavy demand for places on Hong Kong Island, one of the secondary schools operated during the year in temporary premises pending completion of a new building. The ESF receives public grants based on grants paid to local aided schools, and charges fees to meet additional staffing and administrative costs.

Other international schools provide education on the American, Canadian, French, Japanese, German, Swiss and Singaporean patterns. In the school year 1992-3, there were 12 schools operating up to secondary level, 13 at primary level and 16 kindergartens. Some of these schools have received help from the Hong Kong Government in the form of favourable land grants and reimbursement of rates. Some are sponsored by their own governments or communities while some have received assistance from both sources. Four international secondary schools have joined the DSS.

Teacher Education

Four colleges of education offer pre-service professional training for non-graduate teachers in primary and secondary schools, as well as in-service initial training for primary, secondary and kindergarten teachers. To acquaint serving teachers with modern teaching methods and approaches, the colleges offer refresher courses in primary and secondary teaching, and advanced courses of teacher education for non-graduate teachers of cultural, practical and technical subjects in secondary schools. Full time pre-service courses last three years for those with HKCEE qualifications, and two years for those with two A-levels. In October 2 144 trainees were on full time courses and 2 356 were on part time or short courses.

The University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong offer post- graduate certificate of education courses for graduates who are, or who wish to become, teachers. They also offer short courses for teachers covering areas like curriculum inno- vation, resource development, educational psychology, student guidance and counselling, professional development of teachers, and educational administration.

The Institute of Language in Education (ILE) offers full time and part time language- related courses and seminars for serving teachers of Chinese (including Putonghua) and English; conducts policy-focused research and development; provides a resource centre for language teachers; publishes a professional journal, books and newsletters; offers consultancy services on languages in education; and organises an annual international conference. During the year 671 teachers attended full time courses, and 859 attended

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