Education | 145
educational needs were studying in public sector ordinary primary and secondary schools.
The Government also helps gifted students to develop their capabilities through various programmes. The Government has set up a thematic support network on gifted education comprising 80 schools to facilitate sharing of experiences and
resources.
The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (The HKAGE) began operation in September 2008. To date, it is responsible for the promotion of gifted education in Hong Kong; the organisation and commissioning of challenging off-site programmes for 3 300 secondary students aged 10-18 years; providing support to over 2 000 teachers through training programmes; offering advice and support to more than 6 000 parents of gifted children through advisory services, talks and seminars; and providing online information through the academy's website for the wider gifted community.
Project Yi Jin
Some 16 000 full-time and part-time students joined the Government's Yi Jin programme in the 2010-11 school year. It was launched in 2000 to provide an alternative route to continuing education for secondary school leavers and adult learners. Successful completion of the programme earns the students a qualification comparable to five passes in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination for employment and continuing education purposes. The programme is run by member institutions of the Federation for Continuing Education in Tertiary Institutions and has both full-time and part-time modules.
Vocational Education
The Vocational Training Council (VTC) is a statutory body established in 1982 to provide a comprehensive system of vocational education and training for school leavers and adult learners. It provided some 210 000 full-time and part-time places during the 2010-11 school year.
The VTC provides a range of quality, internationally recognised full-time and part-time courses varying from those designed for craftsmen to those for students seeking higher diplomas. They are offered through its member institutes such as the Institute of Professional Education and Knowledge, School for Higher and Professional Education, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Hong Kong Design Institute, School of Business and Information Systems, Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre, Chinese Cuisine Training Institute, Maritime Services Training Institute, Pro-Act Training and Development Centres, Youth College, Integrated Vocational Development Centre and Shine Skills Centres. The council also provides services such as the administration of the apprenticeship scheme, trade testing and certification.
Post-secondary Education
Hong Kong has 13 degree-awarding higher education institutions, eight of which are funded by the public through the UGC. The other five are the publicly-
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