FCR(98-99)71

For discussion
on 29 January 1999

HEAD 40 - EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Subhead 834 Equipment for computer studies
Item 511 Enhancement of use of information technology in school education

Members are invited -

1. to approve -
   1. an increase in the approved commitment of Head 40 Education Department Subhead 834 Equipment for computer studies Item 511 Enhancement of use of information technology in school education from $2,583,210,000 by $341,473,000 to $2,924,683,000;

   2. an expansion of the ambit of the above Item to include provision of information technology (IT) equipment in community facilities mainly for use by students outside school hours; and

2. to note the new arrangements to decentralise, where appropriate, the procurement of IT equipment, acquisition of teacher training and site preparation,

so as to implement IT in education in a more comprehensive and expeditious manner.

PROBLEM

There is insufficient information technology (IT) training for teachers to meet the latest requirements, and children who do not have a computer at home have only limited access to computers and the Internet outside school hours. Also, the arrangements for acquiring IT equipment, teacher training and site preparation for schools are not flexible enough to cater for the different needs of schools.

PROPOSAL

2. With the support of the Secretary for Education and Manpower, the Director of Education (D of E) proposes to -

1. provide 40 000 additional IT training places for teachers at four different levels, including the development of self-learning packages, at an additional non-recurrent cost of $328,421,000; and

2. provide computers with Internet access in community facilities primarily for use by students after school hours at a non-recurrent cost of $27,531,000.

As the above additional requirements are partially offset by savings within the approved financial commitment for the project, we are seeking to increase the commitment from $2,583,210,000 by $341,473,000 to $2,924,683,000.

3. To complement the above proposals, D of E will give greater flexibility to schools by disbursing cash grants to them for procuring IT equipment and acquiring teacher training. In addition, schools which are willing and capable of taking up the additional responsibility will be given the option of cash grants for arranging site preparation works on their own.

JUSTIFICATION

4. Enhancement of IT in education is one of Government's key education initiatives to prepare our students for the challenges and benefits of the information age. We have already secured non-recurrent commitments totalling $2,836 million for this cause vide FCR(97-98)2 and FCR(97-98)73. There is, however, a need for further resources and greater flexibility as a result of developments described in the following paragraphs.

More training for teachers

5. To ensure effective implementation of IT education, it is important that our teachers appreciate the benefits of using IT, and are well equipped to apply IT in education. As set out in the five-year strategy on IT education published in November 1998, we will require that -

1. by the 2000/01 school year,
   1. all serving teachers should reach the "basic" level of IT competency;

   2. all graduates of pre-service teacher education programmes should reach the "competent" level; and

2. by the 2002/03 school year,
   1. 75% teachers should reach the "comfortable" level;

   2. 25% teachers should reach the "competent" level;

   3. one to two teachers in each school should reach the "creative" level.

6. The general competency requirements and number of training places for each of the four levels are set out in Enclosure 1. We will commission a study to better define the competency levels and develop corresponding assessment tools.

7. To achieve the targets set out in paragraph 5 above, we need to provide 40 000 training places in addition to the 45 000 approved under existing projects. To keep teachers abreast of the latest developments in using IT in teaching, we also propose to develop about ten to 14 self-learning packages for teachers over the next four years.

Provision of computers with Internet access in community facilities

8. As the education of young people extends beyond classroom and continues after normal school hours, and IT will gradually become an integral part of the school curriculum, we need to ensure that children from less well-off families with no computers at home do not compare unfavourably with other children in terms of access and connectivity to IT facilities after school hours.

9. We therefore propose to provide a total of 1 000 computers with access to the Internet in about 85 children and youth centres, and in about 35 integrated teams, community centres run by subvented non-government organisations (NGOs), and group work units run by the Social Welfare Department. We will provide a one-off cash grant to the NGOs in charge of the selected centres for the procurement of IT facilities (including maintenance, consumable and Internet access expenses for initial years) and for site preparation. The Director of Social Welfare will invite applications and make the selection having regard to the centre's accessibility, popularity, opening hours and the distribution of existing IT facilities in centres throughout the territory. Students will have priority of access to the computers. We expect that the proposal can benefit a large number of students who do not have a computer at home.

10. On the school front, we plan to provide schools with additional resources to make available their computer rooms and computers for use by students after normal school hours. We have earmarked sufficient recurrent funds for this purpose.

More flexibility for schools

11. Based on experience gained in the course of implementing IT in education, we see a need to give greater flexibility to schools in the procurement of IT equipment, acquisition of teacher training and, for the willing and capable schools, the option of undertaking their own site preparation works. This will not only expedite the delivery process, but will also better meet schools' different IT needs and aspirations.

12. For the procurement of IT equipment, we will disburse a cash grant¹ to schools. Schools may choose to place orders with any of the vendors contracted by the Education Department (ED) through open and competitive tendering, instead of arranging tenders themselves. The level of grant provided to each school will be based on its entitlement for IT facilities and the average prices quoted by the selected IT contractors. Our estimate is that the cash grant will be around $1 million for a primary school with 24 classes, $1.8 million for a secondary school with 30 classes and $0.9 million for a special school with ten classes. Provided that the schools can meet ED's minimum requirements on equipment provision, they can retain the surplus for other IT-related purposes. Schools may also top up the cash grant with private funds to purchase more powerful and advanced IT facilities compatible with ED's specifications. Details of the minimum requirements are set out in Enclosure 2.

13. To enable schools to acquire training for their teachers at the "basic", "comfortable" and "competent" levels in a more flexible manner to suit their specific needs, we will provide them with a cash grant², which will allow them to enrol in courses organised by training suppliers selected by ED through open and competitive tendering, or arrange their own training. Regardless of the modes chosen, teachers will be required to meet specific competency requirements and be assessed with the use of standard assessment tools. The amount of cash grant for each school will depend on the teaching establishment of the school, as well as the unit cost of each training place at each of the three levels as indicated in the ED's centrally arranged tenders. Our estimate is that the cash grant will be around $200,000 for a 24-class primary school with 33 teachers, $550,000 for a 30-class secondary school with 57 teachers and $250,000 for a 10-class special school with 25 teachers. Since training courses at the "creative" level need to be tailor-made to cater for the needs of a small number of teachers with sophisticated IT knowledge, we believe it will be more cost-effective for ED to organise them centrally. Same as the arrangement for procuring IT facilities, we will allow schools to retain surplus funds for other IT-related purposes where they have met all training requirements described in paragraph 5 above, but where there is shortfall in funds, schools have to top it up themselves.

14. For site preparation, we will provide a cash grant to those schools which are willing and capable to arrange the works on their own. The level of the grant will be equivalent to the average cost for schools requiring similar site preparation works should Government departments be responsible for the works. Our estimate is that the average amount of the cash grant will be around $720,000 for a primary school, $610,000 for a secondary school and $690,000 for a special school on the assumption that these schools do not require substantial conversion works such as the construction of an additional transformer room³. Again, schools can use surplus funds for other IT-related purposes, but have to top up the shortfall where the grant is insufficient to cover the costs. To ensure safety and compatibility with Government standards, we will require them to follow established procedures issued by ED in consultation with the Architectural Services Department.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

15. Subject to Members' approval, we will phase the additional expenditure sought as follows -

		1998-99 $'000	1999-00 $'000	2000-01 $'000	2001-02 $'000	2002-03 $'000	Total $'000
(a)	Provision of 40 000 additional training places for teachers	0	85,050	72,531	72,420	44,420	274,421
(b)	Development of self-learning packages for teachers	0	21,000	11,000	11,000	11,000	54,000
(c)	Provision of computers and Internet access in community facilities	0	27,531	0	0	0	27,531
	Total	0	133,581	83,531	83,420	55,420	355,952
		___	________	________	________	________	________
	Less: savings under this project		14,479
________
	Additional commitment sought		341,473
________

16. As regards paragraph 15(a), the expenditure is for the provision of some 12 000, 17 200, 10 300, and 500 training places at "basic", "comfortable", "competent" and "creative" levels respectively. It also provides for the commissioning of a study to define competency levels and develop corresponding assessment tools.

17. As regards paragraph 15(b), the expenditure is for the development of about ten to 14 self-learning packages for teachers. Each package will contain modules of IT skills, techniques in applying IT in the teaching of various subjects as well as self-assessment tools for the purpose of checking progress and mapping out further training needs.

18. As regards paragraph 15(c), the expenditure is for the procurement of 1 000 computers, peripheral equipment and the required software, maintenance and Internet access for initial years and site preparation works at some 120 children and youth centres, integrated teams, community centres run by NGOs and group work units run by the Social Welfare Department. As this is a one-off grant, the NGOs and the Social Welfare Department will absorb all subsequent recurrent costs arising from this proposal within their existing resources.

19. Taking account of the tender prices in an IT supply contract awarded by the Government, in respect of hardware and teacher training and the latest estimates for site preparation works, we have re-appraised the resource requirements for the whole IT in education project. Details of the revised estimate are set out in Enclosure 3.

20. The current proposal will not give rise to additional recurrent cost for Government. The annual recurrent cost of the project will still be $232.805 million as approved under FCR(97-98)73. Details of the recurrent implications are set out at Enclosure 4.

21. In addition to the initiatives under the project, we will provide an incentive grant to schools with effect from 1999/2000 school year to make available their computer rooms and IT facilities for use by students after normal school hours. This will allow the less privileged students better access to computers. The recurrent cost of this initiative amounts to $15.5 million.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

22. Funds for implementing IT in education are approved vide FCR(97-98)2 and FCR(97-98)73, with commitments of $252.55 million and $2,583.21 million respectively. The key initiatives of the projects are to -

1. provide, on average, 30, 40 and 82 computers for each public sector special, primary and secondary schools respectively;

2. provide 45 000 IT training places at different levels for teachers;

3. set up an Information Technology Education Resource Centre (ITERC);

4. establish a multi-media learning centre in each of 103 secondary schools; and

5. implement an IT pilot scheme whereby ten primary and ten secondary schools are given more resources to identify best practices in IT in education.

23. The progress in implementing these initiatives is as follows -

1. we have already procured 18 500 computers for the provision of 15 computers to each primary school and 21 computers to each secondary school;

2. we have awarded contracts for 15 200 and 1 500 IT training places at the "basic" and "creative" levels respectively for primary school teachers. The "basic" level training courses have been operated since June 1998 and those at the "creative" level since November 1998;

3. the ITERC has commenced operation in September 1998;

4. we have selected 103 secondary schools for the provision of a multi-media learning centre and completed the initial site investigation works; and

5. all the 20 schools in the IT pilot scheme have been given a cash grant to procure equipment, carry out site preparation works and arrange training for their teachers. The majority of them already have their computer network ready for full implementation.

Education and Manpower Bureau
January 1999

Enclosure 1 to FCR(98-99)71

Level of training	Target	Estimated number of training places
(I) "basic" level Teachers will attend a Basic Information Technology (BIT) training of about 18 hours covering general computer operation and basic skills such as how to input in Chinese, surf through the Internet as well as to operate readily available educational software.	All teachers	41 500
(II) "comfortable" level Teachers will attend the Intermediate Information Technology (IIT) training of about 30 hours with a view to improving their capability to apply IT in classroom teaching and lesson preparation, making use of computer-assisted teaching software and teaching resources available on both the Internet and the Intranet, etc.	75% of teachers	31 125
(III) "competent" level Teachers will attend the Competent Information Technology (CIT) training of about another 30 hours with a view to enabling them to handle computer networking, trouble-shoot simple hardware and software problems, and to acquire more advanced use of authorware for lesson preparation etc.	25% of teachers	10 375
(IV) "creative" level Teachers will attend the Advanced Information Technology (AIT) training of up to 120 hours (on a part-time basis over two years) with a view to enabling them to advise on matters relating to use of IT in teaching activities, to promote computer-assisted teaching and learning in the schools, to manage the school networking system, and to develop IT plans or teaching software for their schools.	6% of teachers	2 490
	Total	about 85 000

Enclosure 2 to FCR(98-99)71

For primary schools with 24 classes

The school should at least have in place -

1. 28 computers

2. a Local Area Network linking all computers in the library, staff rooms, computer room and/or computer-assisted learning room

For secondary schools with 30 classes

The school should at least have in place -

1. 58 computers

2. a Local Area Network linking all computers in the library, staff rooms, computer room and/or computer-assisted learning room

For special schools with 10 classes

The school should at least have in place -

1. 15 computers

2. a Local Area Network linking all computers in the library, staff rooms, computer room and/or computer-assisted learning room

Enclosure 3 to FCR(98-99)71

Non-recurrent cost for development and implementation

Director of Education estimates that the revised non-recurrent cost will amount to $2,924,683,000, made up as follows -

		1998-99 $'000	1999-00 $'000	2000-01 $'000	2001-02 $'000	2002-03 $'000	Total $'000 (a)	Original estimate approved under FCR(97-98)73 $'000 (b)	Increase or decrease over original estimate $'000 (a) - (b)
(a)	Site preparation	65,681	536,378	538,201	117,434	0	1,257,694	716,250	+541,444 (+76%)
(b)	Computer equipment	211,025	544,915	327,059	0	0	1,082,999	1,608,530	-525,531 (-33%)
(c)	Intranet	0	2,500	0	0	0	2,500	1,000	+1,500 (+150%)
(d)	Training	0	178,575	169,235	89,611	64,238	501,659	205,130	+296,529 (+145%)
(e)	Staff cost and contract services	21,546	26,150	4,604	0	0	52,300	52,300	0 (0%)
(f)	Provision of computers and Internet access in community facilities	0	27,531	0	0	0	27,531	---	+27,531 (N.A.)
	Total	298,252	1,316,049	1,039,099	207,045	64,238	2,924,683	2,583,210	+341,473 (+13%) [additional commitment sought]

2. As regards paragraph 1(a) above, the expenditure is for site preparation works at some 1 000 schools and the Information Technology Education Resource Centre (ITERC). These works include the establishment of a Local Area Network (LAN) to link up computers in the library, computer room(s), computer-assisted learning room and staff rooms of a school, where applicable, installation of power sockets, trunking and security fixtures, provision of necessary furniture and equipment such as computer desks and chairs, air-conditioners, cabinets with lock for storage of software, LAN equipment etc. For schools which require substantial structural works, the works also include the construction of additional server room(s), provision of more powerful transformer etc.

3. The revised estimate of expenditure for site preparation represents an increase of $541.44 million or 76% over the original estimate. This is mainly due to two reasons. First, in the light of the result of a study on the infrastructural and system requirements of schools, there is a need to provide additional measures such as raised floor which are not budgeted for at the time of last submission. Second, after detailed assessments, more schools than we previously estimated will require substantial structural works such as the construction of additional server rooms, upgrading of power supply and addition of transformer.

4. As regards paragraph 1(b) above, the expenditure is for the provision of -

• on average 82 sets of computer and peripherals for each of the some 400 public sector secondary schools, including replacement of outdated LCD projection systems and 286/386/486 microcomputers in each of the 400 secondary schools which have been completed;

• on average 25 sets of computers and peripherals^{Note 1} in each of the some 500 public sector primary schools;

• on average 30 sets of computers and peripherals in each of the some 70 special schools, including replacement of outdated LCD projection systems and 286/386/486 microcomputers in each of the 70 special schools which have been completed;

• up to 64 sets of computers and peripherals in each of ten primary schools in the information technology (IT) pilot scheme;

• up to 134 sets of computers and peripherals in each of ten secondary schools in the IT pilot scheme;

• 21 additional sets of computer and audio-visual peripherals for each of 103 public sector secondary schools which already have a multi-media room to promote more extensive IT applications in teaching and learning process across the curriculum;

• 40 sets of computer and peripherals to upgrade the equipment in the computer room in each of the 27 prevocational schools;

• upgrading the computer facilities of the existing Computer Education Resources Centre to convert it into an ITERC; and

• conducting a survey on the readiness of schools to install IT facilities.

5. The revised estimate of expenditure for procurement of computer equipment represents a decrease of $525.53 million or 33% over the original estimate. This is attributable to adjusted system requirements and a reduced estimate of the unit cost of computer equipment with reference to the latest contract prices.

6. As regards paragraph 1(c) above, the expenditure is for engaging consultants to conduct a feasibility study on an education-specific Intranet. The revised estimate of expenditure represents an increase of $1.5 million or 150% over the original estimate. The revised estimate is based on the initial outcome of the relevant tender exercise.

7. As regards paragraph 1(d) above, the expenditure is for acquiring about 68 300 training places at four different levels to equip teachers with the necessary IT knowledge and skills^{Note 2}, developing about ten to 14 self-learning packages, and commissioning a study to define IT competency levels for teachers and developing the assessment tools.

8. The revised estimate of expenditure for training represents an increase of $296.53 million or 145% over the original estimate. This is attributable to the provision of some 40 000 additional IT training places and the development of about ten to 14 self-learning packages for school teachers. Subject to Members' approval of this proposal, we will reserve $14 million under Item 510 Provision of multimedia computers to government and aided primary schools approved vide FCR(97-98)2, being the unexpended balance for teacher training. This will bring all outstanding expenditure on teacher training under Item 511 to achieve greater cost-effectiveness through economies of scale.

9. As regards paragraph 1(e) above, the expenditure is for the provision of six posts in Education Department and 11 posts in Information Technology Services Department and contract services for two years for providing professional input, and developing and managing the initial project work.

10. As regards paragraph 1(f) above, the expenditure is for providing 1 000 computers with peripherals, necessary software and Internet access in about 120 children and youth centres, integrated teams and other community facilities for young people.

Enclosure 4 to FCR(98-99)71

Director of Education estimates that the recurrent cost of the enhancement of use of information technology (IT) in school education is as follows -

		1998-99 $'000	1999-00 $'000	2000-01 $'000	For each subsequent year $'000
(a)	Subvention - teaching staff in aided schools	3,602	6,174	6,174	6,174
(b)	Recurrent grant	30,230	62,210	62,210	60,870
(c)	Maintenance	0	5,618	55,955	54,674
(d)	Software development	3,000	6,000	6,000	6,000
(e)	Refresher training	0	21,190	47,371	44,835
(f)	ITERC miscellaneous cost	120	120	120	120
	Sub-total	36,952	101,312	177,830	172,673
(g)	Staff cost	44,142	51,321	60,132	60,132
	Total	81,094	152,633	237,962	232,805

2. As regards paragraph 1(a) above, the expenditure is for the provision of additional teachers to the aided schools in the IT pilot scheme.

3. As regards paragraph 1(b) above, the expenditure is for the provision of a recurrent grant to each school for the purchase of consumables, such as laser printer toner, computer-assisted learning packages, CD-ROM titles, and Internet services.

4. As regards paragraph 1(c) above, the expenditure is for the maintenance of IT facilities.

5. As regards paragraph 1(d) above, the expenditure is for the production of curriculum-based software packages to meet schools' curriculum needs.

6. As regards paragraph 1(e) above, the expenditure is for in-service teacher training on more effective use of computers in teaching and learning.

7. As regards paragraph 1(f) above, the expenditure is for the purchase of consumables and rental services for the Information Technology Education Resource Centre.

8. As regards paragraph 1(g) above, the expenditure is for the provision of 4.3 posts in Information Technology Services Department and 56 posts in Education Department and contract services to provide support and professional and technical advice to schools. It also includes provision for additional teachers to the Government schools in the IT pilot scheme.

1 The cash grant, however, is not applicable to the 18 500 computers for which contract has already been awarded.


2 Except for the 15 200 training places at "basic" level for which contract has already been awarded.


3 Although a primary school is only entitled to 40 computers on average (i.e. 42 less than the average entitlement of a secondary school), the cash grant for a primary school is higher than that for a secondary school because of the need to construct a computer room. For secondary schools, computer room is already a standard provision.


Note 1 Another 15 sets of computers and peripherals have already been provided for each public sector primary school under Item 510, making the total provision to each public sector primary school an average of 40.


Note 2 Another 15 200 and 1 500 training places at the "basic" and "creative" levels respectively for primary school teachers have been arranged under Item 510.