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Social Responsibility
Internships for university students
According to the Education Bureau (2012), only 36% (10% less as required) of secondary school teachers received training in catering for SEN students. To fill this gap, we collaborate with seven universities in Hong Kong (The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, and The Education University of Hong Kong) so as to provide students with internships in educating and counselling children with SENs.
Employment programme for SEN students
The American Psychiatric Association (1994) found that nearly 40% of children and teenagers with SENs quitted schools early. Therefore, through the ‘Work Orientation and Placement Scheme’ organized by the Labour Department, we employ physically challenged people to perform administrative and promotional tasks. The programme not only can realize the concept of inclusion, but also can enable physically challenged people to live life to its potential means and apply knowledge into practice.
‘Elderly Teacher Scheme’
According to the Census and Statistics Department (2012), the population of people aged 65 and over is expected to increase significantly from 13% in 2011 to 30% in 2041. Because of the continuous ageing trend in the population of Hong Kong and the weakening labour market, we, therefore, set up the ‘Elderly Teacher Scheme’ to encourage energetic retired people to work. This scheme allows elderly teachers to assist SEN students in catching up with the academic progress, provide counselling services, and share life experiences with the next generation so as to promote inter-generational communication.
References:
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American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, USA.
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Census and Statistics Department. (2012). Hong Kong Population Projections 2012-2041.
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The Education Bureau. (2012). The Secondary School Profiles 2012-1013.