public sector schools and schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) direct, the EDB provides schools with the School-based Support Scheme Grant for arrangement of support programmes for NAC. The EDB also provides subsidies for non-governmental organisations to run a 60-hour Induction Programme, which covers personal development, social adaptation as well as basic learning skills for these students.
Education for Non-Chinese Speaking (NCS) Children: The Government has put in place a series of education support measures to help NCS students master the Chinese language and integrate into the community. The support measures include, inter alia, providing schools with the "Chinese Language Curriculum Second Language Learning Framework" ("Learning Framework") complemented with module exemplars, assessment tools and supporting teaching and learning materials; introducing an Applied Learning Chinese (for Non-Chinese Speaking Students) subject pegged at the Qualifications Framework (QF) Levels 1 to 3 by phases starting from the 2014/15 school year as an alternative qualification for NCS students to opt for at the senior secondary levels; providing an additional recurrent funding ranging from $0.8 million to $1.5 million to all schools admitting 10 or more NCS students (about 170 schools received the funding in the 2014/15 school year) to facilitate schools' implementation of the "Learning Framework" and creation of an inclusive learning environment in schools; providing school-based professional support and diversified professional development programmes for teachers teaching NCS students; operating Chinese Language Learning Support Centres and providing additional funding to schools admitting a handful of NCS students on a need basis to offer after-school support to consolidate the learning of the Chinese Language during lessons; and operating the Summer Bridging Programme which was refined in 2013 to allow NCS parents to accompany their children with a view to enhancing their exposure to, and use of, Chinese and support for their children. To address the aspirations of NCS students for higher education, the University Grants Committee-funded institutions have, starting from 2008, accepted alternative Chinese Language qualifications including General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and General Certificate of Education (GCE) AS-Level and A-Level for applications under specified circumstances under the Joint University Programmes Admissions System. Eligible NCS school candidates sitting for Chinese Language examinations under the GCSE, IGCSE and GCE are subsidised to the effect that the subsidised fee is on par with the Chinese Language paper in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination. Starting from the 2014/15 school year, Applied Learning Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) is introduced by phases in the senior secondary curriculum to provide an additional channel exclusively for non-Chinese speaking students to obtain an alternative Chinese language qualification to enhance their further studies and employability.
NCS parents have been informed of the local education system and the educational support services available to NCS students. Relevant information and leaflets have been translated into major ethnic minority languages.
Vocational Education: The VTC advises the Government on measures to ensure a comprehensive system of vocational education and training suited to the development and manpower needs of Hong Kong. Vocational education and training services are provided at THEi, School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE), Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK), Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), International Culinary Institute (ICI), Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre (HITDC), Chinese Cuisine Training Institute (CCTI), Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI), Youth College (YC), Pro-Act by VTC and Integrated Vocational Development Centre and Shine Skills Centre.
YC offers various programmes for Secondary 3 and Secondary 6 school leavers, including the credit-based Diploma in Vocational Education programme for school leavers at or above Secondary 3 level. IVE offers programmes at higher technician and technician levels leading to the awards of higher diploma and foundation diploma, etc. In order to meet the development needs of the creative industries, the VTC established HKDI in 2007 to offer design and related programmes. Starting from the 2012/13 academic year, THEi offers vocationally-oriented degree programmes suiting the needs of the industries, providing more diversified progression pathways for young people.
The vocational education and training provided by these VTC institutions aims to lay a foundation for the students' continued personal and professional development and to prepare them for employment and/or further education. In the 2014/15 academic year, the VTC is offering about 44 400 full-time and 24 200 part-time study places through its member institutions.
The VTC also institutes, develops and operates various schemes for training operatives, craftsmen, technicians and technologists (including the Apprenticeship Scheme) to sustain and improve industry, commerce and services.
Qualifications Framework (QF): The QF launched in 2008 provides a transparent and accessible platform to promote lifelong learning and hence enhancing the competitiveness of the workforce in Hong Kong. The QF is a seven-level hierarchy that orders and supports the qualifications of academic, vocational and continuing education sectors, and is underpinned by a robust quality assurance mechanism. All qualifications recognised under the QF are quality-assured.
| Published by the Information Services Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government GovHK Website: http://www.gov.hk Information contained in this publication may be freely used. No acknowledgement is necessary. |
Education Bureau Home Page address: http://www.edb.gov.hk Vocational Training Council Home Page address: http://www.vtc.edu.hk University Grants Committee Home Page address: http://www.ugc.edu.hk |
March 2015 |
