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PE teachers unqualified

The Young Reporter (1979, April 15), 11(11), pp. 8.
Author: Ricky Mak.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0012993

By RICKY MAK

ABOUT one-third of the physical education teachers in Hongkong are unqualified, according to a senior officer of the Education Department.

Mrs Chiu Shum Shuk-hann, senior inspector of the Education Department’s Physical Education Section, says there are about 1,200 unqualified primary school physical education teachers and about 2,500 wno are qualified.

She said these teachers cannot attain professional standards because there is a lack of suitable equipment to train them.

But according to one physical education teacher, even instructors and lecturers who teach them are unqualified.

“The two-year training course provided by the education colleges is not enough to equip teachers with adequate knowledge of physical education.

“At present, only the Grantham College of Education provides a third year training programme, but the vacancies are rather limited,” he added.

“Many private schools even employ unqualified physical education teachers because they are willing to accept low salaries,” he said.

On the other hand, the teacher also points out that physical education is also neglected by parents, students and some school authorities. It becomes a subsidiary subject and will be suspended during examination.

“We are provided with a curriculum by the Education Department, but it is impractical,” he said. “Swimming and other activities which need complicated equipment are included. But few schools have swimming pools, and few are even close to public pools.”

“The curriculum also suggests courses that cannot be finished within two periods per week, which usually is the alloted time in most primary and secondary schools,” he said.

Concerning the curriculum, Mrs Chiu said the Education Department is constantly reviewing it.

“There will be a seminar and a course held by the Education Department to discuss the curriculum among the primary school teachers,” she said.

Chan Kwan-ngok, primary school inspector of the Physical Education Section said there will be about 400 vacancies in the course and the physical education teachers react actively.

“Experts in physical education will be invited to take part in the course,” he said.

Mrs Chiu said there is also a course to train the unqualified physical education teachers at Mongkok Games Hall and about 50 of them are currently enrolled in the exam.

“We will continue to train the unqualified physcial education teachers but the possibilities of expansion is very dim because there is not enough manpower in our section,” she said.

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