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The Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, today (February 22) visited Kwun Tong District to learn more about latest developments in the area, particularly in regard to the provision of education and employment services for non-Chinese speaking (NCS) students and the underprivileged.
Mr Suen first visited the Hong Kong Taoist Association Wun Tsuen School, which has more than 600 NCS students, accounting for 97% of its student population. To enable NCS students to learn Chinese more effectively, the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Education has assisted the school in developing a school-based Chinese Language curriculum for students from Primary One to Six.
The curriculum helps to enhance effective learning of Chinese characters and improve students' listening and speaking skills. It strengthens students' reading ability with the use of storybooks, diversifying their vocabulary and knowledge in the target language. Students' writing ability and interest is also nurtured and improved using a diversified writing strategy. The curriculum also attaches great importance to home-school co-operation with the aim of fostering a robust learning and reading culture among students.
Mr Suen observed a Chinese Language class of Primary One students. He was pleased to see that students showed keen interest during the class activities and learned effectively from the storybooks being used.
He also listened to an art project presentation, which had won the Awards for Arts Education (Gold Award, School Division) in the Hong Kong Art Development Award 2009. Integrating various arts activities including dance, music, sculpture and drama, the project enabled the students and the community to communicate effectively, thus enhancing mutual understanding.
During the visit, Mr Suen met teacher and parent representatives and listened to their views on various education issues. He also watched some impressive dance and choral speaking performances by students, which had obtained outstanding results in inter-school competitions.
Mr Suen then proceeded to tour a social enterprise which helps create employment opportunities for the disabled and underprivileged. With seed funding from the Home Affairs Department's Enhancing Self-Reliance through District Partnership Programme and the Social Welfare Department's Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities through Small Enterprise Project, the organisation has established a number of businesses, including shops, services for the sale and rehabilitation of products and a magazine on rehabilitation.
Mr Suen was briefed by the organisation about its services, and observed a training session provided for disabled employees. He was also pleased to note the organisation's efforts in providing employment opportunities for the disabled and underprivileged by hiring more than 220 staff.
Before concluding his visit, Mr Suen exchanged views with the Chairman of Kwun Tong District Council, Mr Chan Chung-bun, and District Councillors on various local affairs.
Ends/Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:01
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