ENG-1994 — Page 186

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EDUCATION

resource centre, and producing publicity materials to educate parents and the public. Other projects included the development of curricula for the academically gifted and the less able; and feasibility studies on the integration of subjects, a modular curriculum, and a mastery learning programme (in which learning objectives are specified, progress is assessed, and remedial or enrichment activities are provided, depending on the child's progress).

During the year, the institute issued updated teaching guides, subject syllabuses and circulars on the teaching of various subjects.

Seminars were held for teachers on ways to make learning more pleasurable and effective. Guidelines on effective homework and testing were issued, together with leaflets, posters and other materials. Meetings were held with publishers' associations to discuss ways to reduce the weight and size of textbooks, in the light of increased public concern about heavy school bags.

The Language Fund Advisory Committee

In March, the government set up a Language Fund, with initial capital of $300 million, to raise standards in Chinese (including Putonghua) and English. The trustee is the Director of Education Incorporated. The Language Fund Advisory Committee was set up in May to advise on the funding of suitable projects. Its members include language experts, educators and business people. By the end of the year, on the advice of the committee, $54 million had been disbursed for 35 projects.

The University Grants Committee

The UGC is appointed by the Governor to advise on the development and funding of higher education, and administer public grants to the seven publicly-funded tertiary institutions. It comprises nine overseas academics, four local academics and four local professionals and businessmen. No government officials sit on the UGC, but its secretariat is staffed by civil

servants.

Since 1965, when the then University Grants Council was set up, full-time equivalent student numbers have multiplied more than 14 times, from 4 100 in two universities to over 56 000 in seven institutions. The major expansion of places which began in 1988 was completed by October.

In March, the UGC issued its interim review of the development of higher education for the years 1991-2001 for public consultation. The review described progress with the restructuring and expansion of tertiary education, and looked towards the next triennium (1995-98) and beyond to the next century. By July, when the consultation period ended, over 50 submissions had been received. The UGC aims to submit its final report to the government in late 1995.

In April, the UGC members made a fact-finding visit to Beijing to gain a better understanding of the present state of higher education in China. The delegation visited Beijing University, Qinghua University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Beijing Normal University. It met Vice-Premier Li Lanqing and officials from the State Education Commission and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, and briefed them on the higher education system in Hong Kong and the role of the UGC.

In September, the UGC assessed the recurrent funding requirements of the seven institutions for the 1995-98 triennium, and made recommendations to the government.