ENG-1995 — Page 188

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EDUCATION

The Non-graduate Teacher Qualifications Assessment Scheme was introduced in 1992-93 to assess the qualifications and professional competence of intending teachers who obtained their qualifications and training outside Hong Kong. The assessment helps to increase the supply of qualified primary school teachers. A total of 87 candidates passed the required examinations in the 1995 cycle.

New Immigrant Children from Mainland China

In April, the Education Department, with the assistance of voluntary agencies, introduced an induction programme for new immigrant children from mainland China to help them adapt to the local social and school environment. A total of 19 agencies participated in running the programme, benefiting 3 500 new immigrant children. Feedback so far from teachers, students and the community has been very positive.

To help the new immigrant children from China catch up with schooling in Hong Kong, an extension programme on remedial English was added, and advice was given to teachers on tailoring the curricula in the subjects Chinese language and English language, from Primary 1 to Secondary 3, to cater for the needs of these children,

Technical Education and Industrial Training

A comprehensive system of technical education and industrial training provides the _economy with well-trained manpower at all levels. Publicly-funded courses are provided in the VTC's two technical colleges, seven technical institutes and 24 training centres. Separate levy-funded authorities provide industrial training for the clothing and construction industries.

During the year, 12 training boards/general committees conducted manpower surveys to assess the demand for trained manpower in their respective sectors. Some training boards and general committees have organised out-centre training courses, conferences, symposia and seminars.

Technical Education

Technical education at higher technician level is provided by the VTC's two technical colleges at Chai Wan and Tsing Yi. These colleges offer higher diploma courses (normally over three years, full-time) and higher certificate courses (either two or three years, part-time) in applied science, business administration, computing and mathematics, construction, design, electrical and communications engineering, electronic engineering, hotel catering and tourism management, manufacturing engineering and mechanical engineering.

Short courses are also offered to people in employment. In October, enrolment totalled 4900 full-time students on 32 courses, and 1430 day release and 6 630 evening students on 39 part-time courses.

The seven technical institutes provide a range of technician and craft level courses related to Hong Kong's major industries. Technician level courses are offered for Secondary 5 leavers and craft level courses for those who have completed at least Secondary 3. These are offered on either a full-time, part-time day release, or part- time evening basis. In July, 4 410 full-time, 1 780 mixed full-time, 3 660 part-time day and 7 600 evening students graduated from the technical institutes. In November, the