Young PICs at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution Celebrate Academic Achievements with Certificate Ceremony

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution attain good examination results

Young persons in custody (PICs) at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution (STCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (October 28) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations.

Over the past year, a total of 83 young PICs at STCI enrolled in distance learning courses offered by the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, or sat for various academic and vocational examinations, including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, the Cambridge English Examinations and Caritas Institute of Community Education examinations, as well as examinations organised by the Employees Retraining Board, the School of Professional and Continuing Education of the University of Hong Kong, the Construction Industry Council, Tom Lee Music Foundation, Christian Action and the Vocational Training Council. The subjects covered elementary Cantonese cooking and kitchen operations, basic café beverage making, basic Western snacks and dessert making, a course for food hygiene managers, logistics management, multimedia design, knowledge and applications of AI, and building services. During the year, the young PICs attained 48 merits out of 235 certificates. In the ceremony today, 21 young PICs were presented with 103 certificates, of which 22 were marked with merits.

Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of Tung Sin Tan (TST), Mr Ha Tak-kin, said that TST has been highly supportive of the rehabilitation work of the CSD, and has set up the Tung Sin Education Fund to provide education and vocational training subsidies to PICs in need. He encouraged young PICs to actively equip themselves so that, upon their reintegration into society, they could apply what they have learned for the benefit of the community.

During the ceremony, in addition to a Chinese dragon dance staged by young PICs, a video produced by young PICs with the use of multimedia software was screened, along with a live musical performance to demonstrate their institutional training journey and determination to turn over a new leaf. In the sharing session, a young PIC shared his experiences during rehabilitation and expressed gratitude for his family's unwavering support as well as the guidance from correctional officers. He promised to study hard to repay the support of his family and society.

STCI accommodates young male PICs aged from 14 to under 25. The Department provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for PICs of training centres and rehabilitation centres to assist them in rehabilitating and preparing for their reintegration into society.

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"Andy and Security Bear: Young Citizens Safeguarding National Security" educational picture books launched

The Security Bureau (SB) today (October 28) held a launch ceremony of the "Andy and Security Bear: Young Citizens Safeguarding National Security" educational picture books. Published by the SB with support from the Education Bureau, the picture books convey key concepts of national security to young children through vivid illustrations and simple words, cultivating their awareness of abiding by laws and rules and helping them become young citizens who love their families and country.

The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, and the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, jointly officiated at the launch ceremony. Mr Tang shared the creative concept, saying that an illustration-driven book supplemented with an engaging storyline enables children to discover and learn the meaning of following rules and thinking critically, so that they can understand the importance of safeguarding national security from an early age. Dr Sze also outlined the application of the picture books in the school environment, highlighting their effectiveness in enhancing learning outcomes. At the ceremony, Mr Tang and Dr Sze presented the picture books to representatives of kindergarten principals, symbolising the further embedding of national security education in kindergartens.

The three-volume set of picture books is set against the backdrop of "Andy and Security Bear", the national security comic series launched by the SB in mid-2024 that has been well received by the education sector and students. The set consists of three new stories accompanied by resources including themed children's songs, enabling teachers to make learning enjoyable in kindergartens.

The SB also released "Singing Softly", a children's song launched alongside the first volume of the picture book. Kindergarten students attending the event performed it on the spot. Through movements, the students brought the lively and easy-to-understand lyrics to life and reinforced their understanding of the positive values in the story, including respecting others and safeguarding their home.

The SB will distribute the first batch of picture books to over 900 kindergartens and public libraries in Hong Kong by the end of this year. Together with on-site kindergarten workshops, the national security concepts will be conveyed to young children in a diverse and fun way.

Source: AI-found images