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The Secretary for Education, Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, today (December 7) visited Tai Po District to see for himself the implementation of integrated education in schools and listen to District Council members and local people expressing their views on education.
Accompanied by District Officer (Tai Po), Mr Paul Cheng, Mr Ng made his first stop at Hong Kong Red Swastika Society Tai Po Secondary School. He chatted with the school principal, teachers and students on the school's latest developments, including the effectiveness of the implementation of integrated education.
Mr Ng said, "We should offer adequate and equal opportunities to students, particularly those with special educational needs (SEN), to help them develop their potential to the fullest. The Education Bureau has made every effort to support schools in rendering the necessary assistance to students with SEN in accordance with the five basic principles of 'early identification', 'early intervention', 'Whole School Approach', 'home-school co-operation' and 'cross-sector collaboration'."
He was pleased to learn that 26 teachers of the school (i.e. about 80 per cent) had received training related to special education needs and also that the school's teachers had teamed up in adopting the Whole School Approach to provide comprehensive and targeted education and support services for all students, including those with SEN.
In addition to professional support and teacher training, the school has also been provided with an additional annual Learning Support Grant of $1 million to strengthen integrated education by employing extra teachers and teaching assistants as well as procuring various professional services.
Mr Ng pointed out that in the 2011/12 school year, the Government allocated a total of about $1 billion for the implementation of integrated education. "Looking ahead, we still need the concerted efforts of the Government, schools, families and the community at large in the areas of resources, professional development of teachers, home-school co-operation and social inclusion to provide proper care and education opportunities for students with SEN," he said.
Mr Ng also met with the Executive Committee of the Tai Po School Liaison Committee, exchanging views on education issues in the district.
Then he went to the Four Lanes area in Tai Po Market where he chatted with local shop owners and residents about their business and daily life, followed by a meeting with members of the Tai Po District Council on various issues.
Ends/Friday, December 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:05
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