The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, visited Southern District this afternoon (October 18) to see children's learning through play at a kindergarten and brief District Council members on the education initiatives in the Chief Executive's 2018 Policy Address.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Southern District Council (SDC), Mr Chu Ching-hong; the Vice Chairman of the SDC, Mr Chan Fu-ming; and the District Officer (Southern), Mrs Dorothy Ma, Mr Yeung first visited TWGHs Tin Wan (1996-1997 Directors) Kindergarten, where he was briefed on the kindergarten's characteristics, such as picture book teaching and promotion of reading activities.
While observing a class to appreciate storytelling by students, he also joined their extended learning activities, including learning language and vocabulary through cake tasting, and learning art and craft through making clay pizza.
Mr Yeung said that reading can inspire students' interest in pursuing knowledge and their self-directed learning ability. To instil in children a love for reading, the Education Bureau (EDB) launched the Pilot Scheme on the Promotion of Reading Grant for Kindergartens in the current school year. It is now open to application by kindergartens until October 22.
Participating kindergartens, based on their student numbers, will receive a grant of $5,000 or $10,000 for procuring reading resources, organising school-based activities related to the promotion of reading, and hiring of services to organise reading activities. With the participation of the kindergarten sector, the EDB hopes that the Pilot Scheme could help it understand and examine different modes of reading promotion, with a view to formulating long-term strategies catering for early childhood.
Mr Yeung added that the Government has implemented the new kindergarten education policy starting from the 2017/18 school year with a substantial increase in government expenditure to enhance teachers' remuneration, reduce parents' financial burden and improve the quality of teaching. The EDB plans to start a review in mid-2019 on the implementation of the new policy, including the salary arrangements for kindergarten teachers and other measures. During the process, stakeholders will be consulted with the aim of improving the kindergarten education policy.
He then went to the SDC to brief its members on the content of the Policy Address and exchange views with them on education and other district issues.
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