SED embarks on visit to Korea (with photos)
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     The Secretary for Education (SED), Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, today (May 29) led a delegation on a three-day official visit to Korea.

     The delegates visited Samsung Electronics to see for themselves the latest development of information technology (IT) applications in everyday life, including an Education Showroom showcasing state-of-the-art technology adopted for interactive teaching and learning in classrooms. They also exchanged views with the management of the enterprise on strategies for using IT in education.

     "In line with the global trend of harnessing technology to facilitate effective learning and teaching, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to the promotion of IT in education. We have implemented three IT in Education strategies and invested more than HK$9 billion for the implementation of a wide range of policy initiatives since 1998/99," Mr Ng said.

     "To date, all schools in Hong Kong already have the necessary IT infrastructure and facilities, teachers with enhanced know-how as well as the ability to adopt digital learning resources and develop IT pedagogy.

     "In recent communications with stakeholders, we understand their concern about the need to update IT facilities, improve Internet connections, facilitate the development and sharing of e-learning resources, and further the provision of professional development programmes for teachers.

     "All these will be taken into consideration in the formulation of the Fourth IT in Education Strategy for 2014/15 to 2018/19 to tie in with the needs and development of education in Hong Kong.

     "In addition, we will continue with the Pilot Scheme on e-learning and the e-Textbook Market Development Scheme launched in 2010 and 2012 respectively. The first batch of e-textbooks will be rolled out in the 2014/15 school year," he added.

     The delegates also visited the Seoul Early Childhood Education and Development Institute, a public agency of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education that supports young children's growth by providing programmes and services for young children, parents and kindergarten teachers. In addition to touring the facilities, they were briefed on the local kindergarten education system and training and support services for teachers.

     In addition to Mr Ng, the delegates included the Chairman of the Committee on Free Kindergarten Education, Dr Moses Cheng; the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Education City Limited, Mr Victor Cheng; the Deputy Secretary for Education, Mrs Betty Ip; the Administrative Assistant to SED, Mr Kenneth Cheng; and the Principal Assistant Secretary for Education (Education Infrastructure), Ms Jenny Chan.

Ends/Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:51

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