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The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (May 12) the launch of the new Yi Jin Diploma Programme from the 2012/13 academic year to provide an alternative pathway for secondary 6 school leavers under the New Academic Structure (NAS) as well as adult learners aged 21 or above to obtain a formal qualification for the purposes of employment and further study.
The Yi Jin Diploma Programme will have a total of 600 contact hours, including 420 contact hours for core modules and 180 for elective modules. Core modules comprise Chinese, English, Mathematics, Liberal Studies and Communication Skills. A wide array of elective modules, which are mainly of practical nature, will be offered to cater for different interests and aptitudes of students. Examples of elective modules are Design, Business and Accounting, Information Technology Application, Health Care, Hotel and Catering and Recreation and Sports Management, etc.
An EDB spokesman said that the Yi Jin Diploma had been assessed by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) as being comparable to the attainment of Level 2 standard in five subjects including Chinese Language and English Language in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination.
"For those students who have satisfactorily completed a Maths Plus elective module, their Yi Jin Diploma is comparable to the attainment of Level 2 standard in five subjects including Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics in the HKDSE Examination," the spokesman said.
The Yi Jin Diploma has also been accepted by member institutions of the Federation for Continuing Education in Tertiary Institutions (FCE) as meeting the admission criteria of their Associate Degree and Higher Diploma or equivalent programmes. For those students who have completed the Maths Plus elective module, the Yi Jin Diploma qualification obtained has been accepted by the FCE member institutions as meeting the admission criteria of programmes requiring the attainment of Level 2 standard in five subjects including Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics in the HKDSE Examination.
The spokesman said, "The Civil Service Bureau, on the recommendation of EDB and the HKCAAVQ, has accepted the Yi Jin Diploma qualification as meeting the academic entry requirement of over 30 grades in the civil service which require Level 2 in five subjects including Chinese Language and English Language in the HKDSE Examination. These ranks include Assistant Census and Survey Officer, Customs Officer, Fireman, Police Constable, Postal Officer and Social Security Assistant, etc. For those students who have completed the Maths Plus elective module, the Yi Jin Diploma qualification obtained is also accepted by the Government as meeting the entry qualification of civil service grades requiring Level 2 in five subjects including Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics in the HKDSE Examination. These ranks include Assistant Clerical Officer, Assistant Taxation Officer and Supplies Supervisor II, etc."
On financial assistance, all eligible students will receive a non-means-tested reimbursement of 30 per cent of the tuition fees paid for each satisfactorily completed module. Needy students who are assessed to be eligible for half or full level of assistance under the means test administered by the Student Financial Assistance Agency will receive half or full reimbursement of the tuition fees paid for each satisfactorily completed module. In addition, during the course of study, full-time needy students can receive half rate or full rate of subsidy for home-school travel under the Student Travel Subsidy Scheme and subsidy for internet access charges that is disbursed on a household basis.
Enrolment on the Yi Jin Diploma Programme will commence on June 1 through a web-based registration system at www.yjd.edu.hk, which will commence operation from the same day. Updated information on the Yi Jin Diploma will be available on EDB website 334.edb.hkedcity.net/EN/pathways-06.php .
Meanwhile, the spokesman said, "The Vocational Training Council (VTC) has also revamped its existing Foundation Diploma programme to become Foundation Diploma (Level 3) programme for secondary 6 school leavers under the NAS as well as adult learners to obtain a formal qualification for the purposes of employment and further study."
"The Civil Service Bureau, on the recommendation of EDB and the HKCAAVQ, has also accepted the Foundation Diploma (Level 3) of VTC as meeting the academic entry requirement of grades in the civil service which require Level 2 in five subjects including Chinese Language and English Language in the HKDSE Examination. For information about this Foundation Diploma (Level 3) programme, students may access the VTC website www.vtc.edu.hk/admission ."
Ends/Saturday, May 12, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:41
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