ENG-2006 — Page 187

Education I 155

(Secondary 4 to 7) at designated centres saw a total of 1 202 students enrol for courses in the 2005-06 school year.

The VTC will launch a pilot tailor-made education programme, the Certificate of Foundation Studies, for adult learners with low education standards (below Secondary 3) in early 2007. With accreditation by the HKCAA, graduates can attain a qualification equivalent to that of Level 1 of the proposed QF and Secondary 3 level.

The Government also subsidises non-governmental organisations which operate a variety of adult education programmes. In the 2005-06 school year, over 22 700 places were offered to students.

Quality Education Fund

The Quality Education Fund (QEF) was established in 1998 with an allocation of $5 billion to support initiatives that promote quality education and schemes that recognise excellence in schools and teachers. The fund has processed nine calls of applications and approved up to $3.35 billion for 6 357 projects. To encourage a better use of the fund, the applications and assessment procedures were streamlined in 2006. As from September 2006, applications for funds under various categories can be made throughout the year. The QEF Secretariat also identifies good practices resulting from successful projects and organises dissemination activities for the education sector. The fund also sponsors the Chief Executive's Award for Teaching Excellence. In 2005-06, 80 mathematics and science teachers were presented with the award or a Certificate of Merit. In 2006-07, the award will be extended to the Arts Education Key Learning Area and the Personal, Social and Humanities Education Key Learning Area.

Students' Achievement in international competitions

In 2006, Hong Kong students continued to achieve outstanding results in international competitions. Hong Kong teams garnered two gold, six silver and nine bronze medals in the International Mathematical Olympiad, International Physics. Olympiad, International Olympiad Informatics and International Junior Science Olympiad. Hong Kong teams were champions in the International Robot Club Junior (Dance) and the Odyssey of the Mind Programme. Hong Kong students were also champions in the International Children's Painting Competition on the Environment 2006, Small Montmartre of Bitola, Macedonia 2006 and Ettlingen International Competition for Young Pianists 2006, and won Grand Awards and Special Awards in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Support Services for School Development

Support services are offered to individual schools through the school development officers (SDOs) of the Regional Education Offices (REOs). The aim is to bring about sustainable school development and to introduce new ideas in teaching and learning methods. SDOs work with school heads and teachers to resolve major areas of concern. In 2006, the focus of REO's support was on planning for school development, assessment for learning and peer lesson observation. SDOs also worked to nurture a quality culture in schools through the building of teacher networks and sharing sessions to promote good practices.