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The Secretary for Education (SED), Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, today (June 6) visited school facilities in Sai Kung District and exchanged views with members of the local community on education and other local issues.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Sai Kung District Council, Mr Ng Sze-fuk, and the District Officer (Sai Kung), Ms Maureen Siu, Mr Ng made his first stop at the Hong Kong Design Institute, where he toured the Learning Resources Centre, the Centre for Independent Language Learning and the Fashion Archive.
Opened in 2010, the Institute houses a variety of facilities. Mr Ng recognises it as a cradle for fostering talented designers as well as promoting creative industries and the economic development of Hong Kong. He also noted that the Institute has opened up some of its facilities, such as the swimming pool and basketball courts, during non-peak hours to local residents.
"Opening up campus facilities to local residents is most appreciated. Such arrangements can be seen worldwide. During a recent study visit to Korea, my colleagues and I also found that the Seoul Itaewon Elementary School had opened up its swimming pool and sport facilities to the local community," he said.
"Through such arrangements, schools can forge partnerships and gain support from the local community. In the long run, strengthening school-community co-operation in all aspects is conducive not only to the promotion of school work but also to the learning and all-round development of students."
Mr Ng then went to the Sai Kung Central Lee Siu Yam Memorial School, where he was briefed on the recent developments of the school.
He also went to see for himself the progress of an international school project in the district. The international school will come into operation in August this year as part of the Education Bureau's continuous efforts to increase provisions in the international school sector to meet the demand for school places from overseas families living in Hong Kong and families coming to Hong Kong for work or investment.
To look into the concerns and views of the local community on education and related issues, Mr Ng took the opportunity to meet with a number of local organisations, including the Sai Kung District Council, the local school principals' association and parent-teacher associations.
Ends/Thursday, June 6, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:46
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