ENG-1993 — Page 181

EDUCATION

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extra-curricular activities to enrich the practical life experiences of day and residential pupils.

During the year, a research project on education for the gifted was commissioned, and planning proceeded for a resource centre for gifted children. Various improvements in services for academically less able pupils also began to be implemented.

International Schools

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

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) operates nine primary schools (known as junior schools) and 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 in temporary premises during the year, pending completion of its new building. The ESF receives public grants based on grants paid to local aided schools, and charges fees to meet additional costs.

Other international schools provide education on the American, Canadian, French, Japanese, Swiss-German and Singaporean patterns. In the school year 1993–94, there were 18 such schools operating up to secondary level, 19 at primary level and 27 kindergartens. - Some have received help from the Hong Kong Government in the form of favourable land grants and reimbursement of rates, while some are sponsored by their own governments or communities. Others receive assistance from both sources. Four international secondary schools have joined the Direct Subsidy Scheme.

Teacher Education

Four colleges of education offer full-time, 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. They also offer refresher courses to acquaint serving teachers in primary and secondary schools with modern teaching methods and approaches, and advanced courses of teacher education for non-graduate secondary school teachers of cultural, practical and technical subjects. Full-time pre-service courses last three years for those with HKCEE qualifications, and two years for those with two A-level passes. In October, 2315 trainees were on full-time courses and 1910 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 innovation, development of teaching resources, educational psychology, student guidance and counselling, professional development of teachers, and educational administration. Some Bachelor of Education degree programmes are also offered by the two universities.

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-focussed research and development work; 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