For discussion
FCR(97-98)2
on 18 April 1997

ITEM FOR FINANCE COMMITTEE

HEAD 40 - EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Subhead 300 Code of Aid for primary schools
Subhead 834 Equipment for computer studies

Members are invited to approve -

  1. a non-recurrent commitment of $252,550,000 for the provision of multimedia computers to all government and aided primary schools;

  2. a recurrent grant of $14,000 per annum per primary school for the purchase of consumables and acquisition of computer assisted learning packages; 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).

PROBLEM

1. At present, there is no provision of computer facilities for government and aided primary schools for teaching and learning purposes. As a result, students do not have any access to computers in these primary schools.

PROPOSAL

2. We propose to provide multimedia computers to all government and aided primary schools at a total non-recurrent cost of $252,550,000, to provide a recurrent grant of $14,000 per annum per primary school, and to seek authority for the Secretary for the Treasury to approve annually in future revision of the rate of recurrent grant in accordance with the movement of the Consumer Price Index (B).

JUSTIFICATION

3. Computer skills among our students is vital to our continued development as an international services centre in the next century. The Education Department has examined various ways to raise the standards of computer literacy in our young generation and to make use of modern information technology to benefit our students. Since 1982, the Department has provided secondary schools with microcomputers to support the teaching of computer subjects. It is time to introduce computer knowledge to our primary school students.

4. We therefore propose to provide multimedia computers to government and aided primary schools. In parallel, the Education Department will develop computer awareness programmes to assist primary school students to acquire basic knowledge and skills on computer. On the other hand, teachers will make use of computer assisted learning packages available in the market to support teaching and learning in classrooms. Effective use of these packages will motivate learning and enhance learning effects. The methodology and the benefits of computer awareness and computer assisted learning programmes are at the Enclosure. The provision of essential computer equipment will lay a foundation in our primary school education in the long run.

5. Apart from computers, we propose to make a recurrent grant of $14,000 per annum to each primary school for the purchase of consumables and computer assisted learning packages. To maintain the value of this recurrent grant, we propose to delegate to the Secretary for the Treasury the authority to approve annually in future revision of the rate of the grant in accordance with the movement of the Consumer Price Index (B).

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Non-recurrent cost

6. The Director of Education (D of E) estimates that the proposal will give rise to total non-recurrent expenditure of $252,550,000, made up as follows -



1997-98

1998-99

Total



$’000

$’000

$’000

(a)

Site preparation

29,188

4,362

33,550

(b)

Furniture and electrical appliances

18,183

2,717

20,900

(c)

Computer equipment

144,507

21,593

166,100

(d)

Training

8,000

24,000

32,000


Total

199,878

52,672

252,550

7. As regards paragraph 6(a) above, the expenditure is for conversion works for 330 primary school sites1 which can spare a classroom for computer assisted learning and improvement works including installation of additional power sockets, reinforced door locks and appropriate security measures for the other 220 primary school sites.

1 For primary schools which provide half-day schooling, a school site will cover two schools.

8. As regards paragraph 6(b) above, the expenditure is for the provision of computer tables, chairs, teachers’ desks, cabinets with lock for storage of software, dehumidifiers, etc.

9. As regards paragraph 6(c) above, the expenditure is for the provision of 15 computers including the teacher’s station and two computers with Internet access facilities for library and research purpose in each school site.

10. As regards paragraph 6(d) above, the expenditure is for training teachers in the use of computer facilities for effective learning. Two teachers in each school will attend intensive training courses to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to look after the computer equipment installed, to teach and co-ordinate the computer awareness and computer assisted learning programmes and to provide support to other teachers. There will be about 1 600 participants and the estimated cost is $11,520,000. Other teachers will attend training courses on computer assisted learning packages and computer operation to enable them to operate and use computers in classrooms with confidence. There will be about 22 400 participants and the estimated cost is $20,480,000.

Annually recurrent cost

11. D of E estimates that the recurrent cost for 1997-98 and annually thereafter will be as follows -


1997-98

For each

subsequent year


$’000

$’000

(a) Staff cost

1,261

2,162

(b) Grant

0

11,200

(c) Maintenance

0

12,364

Total

1,261

25,726

12. As regards paragraph 11(a) above, the expenditure is for the provision of one Senior Inspector and one Inspector (Graduate) to initiate and support the project.

13. As regards paragraph 11(b) above, the expenditure is for the recurrent grant of $14,000 to each school for the purchase of consumables and specific computer awareness and computer assisted learning packages.

14. As regards paragraph 11(c) above, the expenditure is for the maintenance of the computer equipment.

15. The proposal will have no impact on the fees and charges for services provided by the Education Department.

16. Subject to Members’ approval, D of E will seek supplementary provision in the normal manner.

Education and Manpower Branch
April 1997

Enclosure to FCR(97-98)2

Computer Awareness Programme for Primary School Students

1. The Computer Awareness Programme will enable primary school students to -

  1. acquire fundamental knowledge of microcomputers;

  2. develop basic computer operation skills;

  3. operate educational software packages selected by their teachers; and

  4. appreciate the proper use of computers.

2. The Programme will be implemented by incorporating the computer awareness course modules in the school curriculum and/or through extra-curricular activities.

3. There are eight proposed modules in the Programme. Each school will design its curriculum by adapting one or more of these modules. Depending on the needs of the students, each school may start the Programme at one of the junior primary levels, but no later than Primary 3 level. Schools have the option to complete all modules or to stop at a certain module according to the modes of operation selected.

Computer Assisted Learning Programme for Primary School Students

1. The Computer Assisted Learning Programme will support the teaching and learning of Chinese, English, Mathematics and General Studies in primary schools. Schools will have to select appropriate educational software packages that gear to the school curriculum and suit the specific needs of their students. Basically the packages can be used for the following purposes -

  1. drill and practice;

  2. tutoring;

  3. simulation/modeling;

  4. presentation; and

  5. problem solving.

2. The Programme may be implemented by incorporating the learning activities in the subjects concerned and/or through extra-curricular activities. It can also be implemented in activity approach classrooms, with remedial teaching or through other curriculum projects.

Last Updated on 5 August 1999