ENG-2001 — Page 204

EDUCATION

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In order to 'launch support from the community and learning beyond the confines of classroom', funding of $50 million has also been provided for the Education Department to implement a three-year 'Uniform Group Enhancement Scheme' starting from the 2001-02 school year. The scheme aims at recruiting more students to the rank, grooming leaders required for running uniform groups - such as the Scout Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association, Civil Aid Service Cadet Corps, Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps and the Hong Kong Red Cross and promoting uniform group activities, such as outdoor training, social services and life skills training. All these experiences help students develop their potential in leadership skills, determination and integrity, as well as a sense of social responsibility and positive attitude towards life.

International Schools

International schools form an important social infrastructure of Hong Kong to maintain its status as an international business centre and a vibrant and cosmopolitan community. In December, there were 70 international schools offering different curricula such as American, Australian, British, Canadian, French, German-Swiss, Japanese, Korean and Singaporean, providing a total of 31 000 places. Of these international schools, 23 operated up to secondary level and 38 at primary level. There were 38 kindergartens and a special school.

Diversity in School Operation

Government and aided school places make up over 90 per cent of the school places in Hong Kong. In view of diverse community needs, fast changing technology and increasing globalisation, there is a need to inject more diversity into the school system so as to give parents wider choices. The Government introduced in 1999 various measures to facilitate the development of a vibrant Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) and private school sector. These include allocating government-built school premises and land for the operation of non-profit-making DSS schools, and granting land at nominal premium for the establishment of non-profit-making private independent schools. The terms of the DSS have been further improved starting from the 2001-02 school year to facilitate the development of a vibrant private school sector.

Over the past three years, 20 government-built school premises (including six senior secondary schools) have been allocated to school sponsors as DSS schools. Four sites have been allocated for school operators to build DSS schools, and another seven sites for non-profit-making private independent schools. Aided primary schools may, as from the 1999-2000 school year, apply to join the DSS as well. So far, two aided primary schools have joined the DSS.

To enhance accountability, all successful applicants will have to enter into a 10-year service agreement with the Government, which will periodically review the performance of the schools during the term of the service agreement.

Teacher Education and Quality

Pre-service and in-service teacher education, at sub-degree and degree levels, is provided by tertiary institutions funded through the University Grants Committee (UGC).