For discussion FCR(95-96)61
on 27 October 1995

ITEM FOR FINANCE COMMITTEE

HEAD 40 - EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Subhead 834 Equipment for computer studies

Members are invited to approve a commitment of $22,680,000 for providing Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing equipment and the related learning packages to prevocational schools.



PROBLEM

Students in prevocational schools need to acquire the computer knowledge and skills required in a modern workplace.

PROPOSAL

2. The Director of Education (D of E) proposes to provide Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) equipment and Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL) packages to upgrade teaching and the quality of education in 27 prevocational schools.

JUSTIFICATION

3. Most of the modern industrial and engineering enterprises are already using computers and digital-controlled machines in their daily operation and production. Similarly, commercial firms have moved towards a computerized office environment. Use of computer applications for the purposes 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 could be quite hand-tied in a modern workplace.

4. A major objective of prevocational schools is to provide, in addition to a good basis of general knowledge, a broad introduction to the technical and practical skills required for future vocational training. With the provision of CAD and CAM equipment and CAL packages, we aim to enhance the curriculum of prevocational schools so as to make it more attractive to technically inclined students and to meet the community expectation for a better quality technical education. The facilities will also make practical/technical education more interesting and relevant to current office and factory practices.

5. Under the proposal, we shall provide each prevocational school with the computer hardwares and softwares as listed in the Enclosure.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

6. The estimated total non-recurrent cost of the proposal is $22,680,000, broken down as follows -


$’000

(a) Hardware items for 27 schools
($190,000 per school)

5,130

(b) Software items for 27 schools
($650,000 per school)

17,550

Total

22,680

Subject to Members’ approval, we shall include sufficient provision in the 1996-97 draft Estimates for this purpose. We expect to settle all payments in 1996-97.

7. The proposal will involve recurrent cost of $770,000 per year for maintenance of computer equipment.

8. Subject to Members’ approval, the D of E will proceed with the tendering and procurement of the computer hardwares and softwares. We aim to provide the equipment to all the prevocational schools at the beginning of the 1996-97 school year.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

9. There are 26 prevocational schools in Hong Kong catering for the need of 22 299 students pursuing prevocational education. A new prevocational school will commence operation in 1996. At present, these schools use traditional methods in the teaching of both general and practical and technical subjects. The teaching of practical and technical subjects (e.g. technical drawing, metalwork, fashion and clothing, woodwork and printing) will benefit from a wider application of computers. CAM and CAD packages are computer softwares designed to render assistance in manufacturing and technical design whereas CAL packages are designed for students to learn a particular aspect of a subject or skill. The CAL packages are usually designed with user-friendly and attractive layouts which will help increase the students’ interest in learning. Computer-aided learning also enables students to learn repeatedly when necessary and at their own pace.

Education and Manpower Branch
October 1995


Enclosure to FCR(95-96)61

Computer Equipment for Prevocational Schools

Under the proposal, we shall provide each of the 27 prevocational schools with the following -


Unit price
$

Quantity

Sub-total
$

Software

Database

1,000

20

20,000

Spreadsheets

1,000

20

20,000

Word processing

800

20

16,000

Accounting

2,000

20

40,000

Computer-Assisted Learning
packages on typing

650

20

13,000

Computer-Assisted Learning
packages on science

300

20

6,000

Computer-Aided Design

7,800

20

156,000

Engineering science demonstration

20,000

1

20,000

Electronic circuitry design

2,400

20

48,000

Electronic circuitry simulation

3,600

20

72,000

Computer control of movement of
tools, e.g. lathe and milling
machine in manufacturing

100,000

1

100,000

Graphics

3,500

20

70,000

Desktop publishing

3,500

20

70,000

651,000

Say 650,000

Hardware

Upgrade of PC memory (8MB)

3,500

20

70,000

Colour data graphic projector

92,750

1

92,750

Colour VGA interface box

4,000

1

4,000

Fixed ceiling mount

4,600

1

4,600

Installation charge

5,000

1

5,000

Colour plotter

11,000

1

11,000

187,350

Say 190,000

Total per school

$840,000


Last Updated on 2 December 1998