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Education

strategies. The scheme as a whole improves classroom practices and students' attitude towards learning English.

Non-Chinese-speaking Students

The government encourages and supports the early integration of non-Chinese-speaking (NCS) students into the community, including helping them adapt to the local education system and master the Chinese language. The Chinese Language Curriculum Second Language Learning Framework helps primary and secondary NCS students overcome difficulties in learning Chinese as a second language and switch to mainstream Chinese Language classes. Schools receive funding to provide intensive Chinese language teaching and create an inclusive learning environment. Applied Learning Chinese (for NCS students) is offered at senior secondary level to provide an additional channel of obtaining an alternative Chinese language qualification. The results are reported in the HKDSE and the subject is pegged at Qualifications Framework levels 1 to 3 to prepare students for further studies and work. Complementary measures include enhancing teachers' capabilities in teaching Chinese as a second language and the provision of learning and teaching resources packages.

The Chinese Language Learning Support Centre offers support programmes for NCS students after school and during holidays. It also develops teaching resources and organises professional development workshops for teachers, and conducts workshops for parents to encourage parental support for their children to learn Chinese.

UGC-funded universities accept various Chinese Language qualifications under specified circumstances as alternatives to the HKDSE so that their applicants may meet the general entrance requirements under the Joint University Programmes Admissions System. These qualifications include the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), General Certificate of Education (GCE) AS- Level and GCE A-Level. Similar arrangements are available for admission to sub-degree programmes. NCS students taking these Chinese Language examinations pay subsidised fees which are the same as the HKDSE Chinese Language examination fee. Those with financial needs may further receive half or full remission of the subsidised examination fees.

The government works with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to hold district-based programmes, supported by the Language Fund, to motivate NCS children aged three to nine to learn Chinese through fun activities. For NCS school leavers, course providers started offering. vocational Chinese Language courses pegged at level 1 or 2 of the Qualifications Framework in 2016.

Education of Students with Special Educational Needs

Students with more severe or multiple disabilities are referred to special schools for intensive support, subject to the assessment and recommendation of specialists and parents' consent. Others with special educational needs (SEN) will attend ordinary schools. As at September, there were 61 aided special schools, 21 of which had boarding facilities, providing about 8,900 school places and 1,100 boarding places. Some 45,360 students with SEN were studying in public- sector ordinary primary and secondary schools.

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