ENG-2009 — Page 204

148 Education

development of students. Curriculum reform progresses with schools adapting to the central curriculum to meet the needs of their students, and building on the strengths and experiences developed to raise the quality of learning and teaching further and to enhance curriculum development. There have been improvements in students' generic capabilities, values and attitudes, and students are becoming independent learners.

Applied Learning

Applied Learning (ApL) courses are elective subjects under the senior secondary curriculum. They are introduced to Secondary 5 and 6 to cater for students' diverse learning needs by offering studies with stronger elements of practical learning linked to broad professional and vocational fields. In the 2010-12 cohort, 30 ApL courses developed by 11 course providers will be offered.

Information Technology in Education

The Government is committed to promoting the use of information technology (IT) to improve learning and to equip students with necessary IT skills to meet the challenges of the information age and to become lifelong learners. All schools are connected to the Internet. The student-to-computer ratios are about 4:1 in secondary schools and 6:1 in primary schools.

Language Education

The Standing Committee on Language Education and Research was set up in 1996 to advise the Government on language education matters. It also advises the trustee of the Language Fund on the policy and procedures governing the fund's operation. The fund was set up in 1994 to provide financial support for initiatives to improve Hong Kong people's proficiency in Chinese, including Putonghua and English.

Native-speaking English Teacher Scheme

The Native-speaking English Teacher (NET) Scheme has helped to create an enriched English language learning environment for students. Through the introduction of literacy programmes and language arts, NETs working with local English teachers enhance teaching practices and make learning English more interesting for students. There have been changes in classroom practice, with more innovative teaching strategies being adopted. Students have also shown a positive attitude towards the learning of English. At present, there are some 414 NETs in secondary schools and around 484 in primary schools.

Professional Development at Schools

Upgrading Teacher Status

To raise the status and professional standards of teachers, the EDB has increased the ratios of graduate teacher posts in public sector primary and secondary schools to 45 per cent and 80 per cent in the 2008-09 school year, and further to 50 per cent and 85 per cent with effect from the 2009-10 school year. A deputy head rank in public sector primary schools was created in the 2008-09 school year.