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Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre opens (with photos)
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    The Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur KC Li, today (August 21) encouraged teachers and other stakeholders in education to make the best use of resources available in the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB)'s Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre (KTC) and to contribute to the smooth implementation of the new "334" senior secondary academic structure and education reform.

     Officiating at the opening ceremony for the KTC, Professor Li said the EMB never hesitated to lend its full support to teachers for their professional development. "The opening of the KTC is a testament to the close partnership between the EMB and our frontline educators because it is for them that we have built this complex," he said.

     "The many facilities and resources in the KTC are not only in support of teaching and learning, professional development for and experience sharing by our teachers, they are also a valuable source of information on good parenting. I do hope our teachers will enjoy what the KTC has to offer and believe that they are set to benefit from training courses to be held in the KTC in their preparation for '334' in the years to come."

     The Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mrs Fanny Law, joined Professor Li in unveiling a plaque for the KTC and announcing the EMB's latest support measure for "334" by reserving $8 million to provide financial assistance to key learning areas-related organisations in the next four years in developing effective support measures for teachers and engaging in research projects for the benefit of students.  

     During the ceremony, representatives from the Hong Kong Association for Computer Education and the Hong Kong Liberal Studies Teachers' Association shared with guests how successfully they had been working together with the EMB over the years.

     Highlights of today's ceremony included presentation of prizes to winners of the Chinese slogan competition on "334", who were participants in workshops on the new senior secondary academic structure held for school leaders earlier on.

     The ceremony also saw the premiere of Education Magazine, the latest joint project between the EMB and RTHK to update the public on the reform of our curriculum and academic structure and to provide them with other education-related information. The programme will be on air during ETV timeslots on local channels starting on September 18.

     Following the ceremony, participants were treated to refreshments provided by rehabilitated members from the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association operating the cafe kiosk at the KTC. By letting out service contracts to social enterprises that serve the disadvantaged in the community, the EMB hopes to set an example for the school sector to follow suit in considering the award of contracts for cleaning or running tuck-shops in schools.

     Located at 19 Suffolk Road and adjacent to the Kowloon Tong Station for the MTR and the KCR East Rail, the five-storey KTC houses the East and West Blocks. With a total operational area of about 13,900 square metres, the KTC provides one-stop services for members of the teaching force and parents. Facilities in the complex include the Hong Kong Teachers' Centre, a lecture theatre with 400-plus seats, a multi-purpose hall, as well as conference and activity rooms for use by teachers, parents and students.

     The Central Resources Centre (http://www.emb.gov.hk/crc) in the West Block of the KTC is well-stocked with information and resource materials on teaching and learning, teachers' professional development and parenting. The KTC is also home to various EMB sections providing services ranging from education psychology, careers guidance, school placement to special education.  

     Information regarding the latest developments in "334" is currently on display in the exhibition hall opposite the Central Resources Centre.

Ends/Monday, August 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:57

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