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Following is a question by the Hon Cheung Man-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, in the Legislative Council today (February 25):

Question:

In 2000, the Education Commission put forward reform proposals for the education system in Hong Kong, including enhancing professional training for teachers of kindergartens ("KG") and child care centres ("CCC"). In addition to the existing requirement that serving KG/CCC teachers should receive recognised KG teacher training, the Commission proposed that serving KG teachers be encouraged to enhance their professional level through continuing learning. Moreover, the Commission also proposed that a long-term target be laid down, whereby the entry qualification requirement of KG/CCC teachers will gradually be raised to sub-degree level or above. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council :

(a) of the avenues of professional training, the number of and the supply and demand of places for the relevant training programmes provided for the workforce in pre-primary education from the 2001/02 to 2004/05 school years;

(b) of the expected number of and places for training programmes mentioned in (a) for the 2005/06 to 2007/08 school years; and

(c) if the number of and places for the training programmes mentioned in (b) are higher or lower than those in (a), of the rationale for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) Details of the avenues of professional training and the number of relevant training programmes provided for the workforce in pre-primary education are as follows:

Professional training avenues

1. Hong Kong Institute of Education

2. Hong Kong Polytechnic University

3. Hong Kong Baptist University (School of Continuing Education)

4. Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Lee Wai Lee)

Relevant training programmes provided

1. In-service Qualified Kindergarten Teacher (QKT) Education Course

2. Pre-service Qualified Kindergarten Teacher Education Course

3. In-service Certificate in Kindergarten Education (C(ECE)) Course

4. Pre-service Certificate in Kindergarten Education Course

5. In-service Bachelor Degree Course on Early Childhood Education

The supply of training places from 2001/02 to 2004/05 is listed as at Annex.

As to the demand, we have not collected information regarding the number of applications to these courses. Nonetheless, according to the statistics in the 2003/04 school year, already 86% of all teachers in kindergartens (including principals) are qualified kindergarten teachers; and the percentage exceeds 100% if based on the required teaching establishment with a teacher to pupil ratio of 1:15.

(b) The actual number of training places to be provided then is not yet available as the University Grants Committee is still finalising the triennial planning exercise for 2005/06 to 2007/08.

(c) As the University Grants Committee is still finalising the triennial planning exercise for 2005/06 to 2007/08, it is at this stage not feasible to make comparison on the number of training programmes and places. There are overall sufficient qualified kindergarten teachers including principals serving in schools now, and the demand arising from natural wastage can still be met with the provision of training places in the coming years adjusted downwards. The targets the Government has set, with a view to promoting quality education in the kindergarten sector, to upgrade the qualification of kindergarten teachers and principals through enhancement of professional training, can be achieved as planned.

Ends/Wednesday, February 25, 2004

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