For discussion
FCR(97-98)5
on 25 April 1997

ITEM FOR FINANCE COMMITTEE

HEAD 40 - EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Subhead 305 Code of Aid for secondary schools
Subhead 834 Equipment for computer studies
Members are invited to approve -

1. a non-recurrent commitment of $45,851,000 for the establishment of Information Technology Learning Centres in all prevocational and secondary technical schools and for the acquisition of computer equipment and software packages for these centres;

2. a recurrent grant of $5,000 per annum per centre for the purchase of consumables; and

3. the delegation of authority to the Secretary for the Treasury to approve annually in future revision of the rate of the recurrent grant in accordance with the movement of the Consumer Price Index (B).

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PROBLEM
PROPOSAL
JUSTIFICATION
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Non-recurrent cost
Recurrent cost
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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PROBLEM

Students in prevocational and secondary technical schools need to acquire computer knowledge and skills to equip them to work in a modern workplace.

PROPOSAL

2. Director of Education (D of E) proposes to establish an Information Technology Learning Centre (ITLC) in each of the 27 prevocational and 19 secondary technical schools at a total non-recurrent commitment of $45,851,000, to provide a recurrent grant of $5,000 per annum per ITLC, and to seek authority for the Secretary for the Treasury to approve annually in future revision of the rate of the recurrent grant in accordance with the movement of the Consumer Price Index (B).

JUSTIFICATION

3. As a result of the rapid development of technology, modern industrial and engineering enterprises today use computer technology and computerised machines and equipment in their daily operation and production. Similarly, commercial firms have generally moved towards a computerised office environment. Use of computer applications for the purpose of accounting, book-keeping and data processing becomes more of a rule than an option. To a certain extent, a worker without a good knowledge of computer application will be hand-tied in a modern workplace.

4. To equip students in the prevocational and secondary technical schools with the knowledge and skills required by the industrial and business sector of today, we need to provide them with information technology (IT) training and teach them how to work with computer-assisted design (CAD), computer-assisted manufacturing (CAM) and commercial software packages. We will also make use of computer-assisted learning (CAL) packages to motivate learning and enhance learning effects so as to benefit the students.

5. We therefore propose to set up an ITLC equipped with necessary computer equipment and software in each of the prevocational and secondary technical schools. We intend to convert existing typewriting rooms or any other suitable rooms in the schools into ITLCs.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Non-recurrent cost

6. D of E estimates that the proposal will involve a total non-recurrent cost of $45,851,000, broken down as follows -

7. As regards paragraph 6(a), the expenditure is for the conversion works to turn the typewriting rooms or any other suitable rooms in the prevocational and secondary technical schools into ITLCs, including installation of power sockets, trunking and security fixtures, as well as provision of necessary furniture and equipment such as computer desks, air-conditioners, etc.

8. As regards paragraph 6(b), $26,428,000 is for the provision of 41 sets of computer and peripherals, including one teacher’s station, for each ITLC. The remaining $12,088,000 is for the acquisition of CAD, CAM and CAL software packages for the secondary technical schools and additional licences for basic CAD and office integrated software to meet the increased requirements of the prevocational schools.

9. As regards paragraph 6(c), the expenditure is for training of teachers to equip them with the necessary knowledge on computer and the use of CAD, CAM and CAL software packages for effective teaching.

Recurrent cost

10. D of E estimates that the annual recurrent cost of the proposal from 1998-99 will be as follows -

11. As regards paragraph 10(a) above, the expenditure is for the provision of a recurrent grant of $5,000 a year to each school for the purchase of consumables, such as laser printer toner, paper, etc.

12. As regards paragraph 10(b) above, the expenditure is for the maintenance of the computer equipment.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

13. There are 27 prevocational and 19 secondary technical schools in Hong Kong offering a curriculum with technological emphasis to some 42 703 students. At present, these schools adopt traditional teaching methods. The teaching of practical and technical subjects such as Electronics and Electricity, Technical Drawing, and Engineering Science, will benefit from the IT support.

14. Members approved on 27 October 1995 a non-recurrent commitment of $22,680,000 for the upgrading of computer hardware and provision of CAD, CAM and CAL software packages for all prevocational schools [FCR(95-96)61]. The present proposal further enhances IT support for prevocational as well as secondary technical schools by providing additional computer hardware and software to establish an ITLC for each of these schools.

Education and Manpower Branch
April 1997

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