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The 2015-16 Building Safety Pioneer Programme (BSPP) has been officially launched. Fifty secondary school students from 11 schools will participate in various activities of the one-year programme to better understand the importance of building safety, the responsibilities of building owners and the duties of the Buildings Department (BD) and building professionals.
Students participating in this year's programme attended the inauguration ceremony held at Youth Square in Chai Wan today (July 11). Participants of last year's programme were also awarded Building Safety Pioneer certificates at the ceremony. Award-winning teachers and students of last year's programme shared their feelings and experience gained from the programme at the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Buildings, Mr Hui Siu-wai, said the programme aims to enhance youngsters' awareness of their living environment and help them develop their sense of responsibility. The programme will also arouse their interest in building-related professions.
Anticipating that the programme will foster youngsters' self-esteem, Mr Hui encouraged the students to actively participate in every activity of the programme.
Organised by the BD and co-organised by the Education Bureau, the BSPP targets secondary school students who have been nominated by their schools to join the programme. The event is also supported by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors.
Participating students are required to:
* join a drama camp organised by the BD in December and stage performances at various places in January to March next year to disseminate building safety messages;
* join workshops organised by the BD and professional building organisations;
* pay visits to workplaces of the BD and related professionals (architects, engineers and surveyors);
* pay visits to buildings in old districts to see the results of building rehabilitation;
* visit the BD thematic website's "Care For Your Building" page and play the two online games "Building Pioneers" and "Defect Shooter"; and
* organise activities in their schools to promote building safety and submit a school project report at the end of the programme.
Participating schools and students who successfully finish the programme will be awarded book coupons and certificates. Book coupons and certificates will also be given to winners of "Most Supportive School Award" and "The Best School Project Award".
Meanwhile, all Hong Kong secondary school students are invited to visit the BD thematic website's "Care For Your Building" page and play the two online games "Building Pioneers" and "Defect Shooter" before February 29, 2016.
The school with the maximum number of students finishing the two online games and getting the highest score will win the "Most Supportive School Award - Online". Book coupons and certificates will be awarded to the winning school.
For details of BSPP, please visit the BD's thematic website (www.careyourbuilding.bd.gov.hk).
Ends/Saturday, July 11, 2015
Issued at HKT 14:42
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