终身学习和经济体系转型的互动——香港在90年代中期的体验

Mutual promotion between lifelong learning and the readjustment of economic system

引 言 终身教育和终身学习的实践,在60年代的社会发展策略中曾占一重要地位,不少工业先进国家及当时的有关国际会议,都踊跃发扬终身学习这一理念,成人教育体系亦藉此而日趋成熟,与青少年学校教育的发展相辅相承,同时更出现不少具针对性的教育规划方法,如回流教育的主张,普遍引起决策者和社会群众的兴趣。香港社会在60年代处于工业发展中阶段,仍未解决基础教育等难题。

In 1960' s when Hong Kong was in an industrialized stage, elementary education and other problems were still outstanding in Hong Kong society, therefore, no attention had been paid to lifelong learning nor had it been put on the agenda of social development. It is only in 1990's that things are getting much better. One reason is that the development of the society and economy reaches maturity gradually, and there have been relatively sufficient resources and perfect mechanisms based upon whick lifelong learning will grow. The other reason is that at this stage the international community once again lays great stress on the significance of lifelong learning. The author explores the mutual promotion relationship between the phenomenon of economic system readjustment and the mechanism of lifelong learning in the context of Hong Kong's development in mid-1990's: -the readjustment of economic system propels the change in learning demand. Under the impact of the wave of global economic integration, the readjustment of Hong Kong economic system mainly inclines towards specialized service industry, which leads to an unprecedented structural change in employment market. The most striking phenomenon is a high level of redundancy in manufacturing industry whereas a shortage of qualified personnel in new hi-tech industry. In this case, an atmosphere of learning demand that puts emphasis on 'pragmatism' has filled the whole HK society. -challenges incurred by the idea and mechanism of lifelong learning. The idea of lifelong learning may greatly help Hong Kong citizens in adapting themselves to economic readjustment. For example, the middle-aged redundant workers can find jobs in another new and rising industry through training. Professional technical personnel can also continue studying for promotion to a higher position. In addition to the idea, the mechanism has changed to some extent the structure and game rules of conventional education. -the role of adult education system to play against the background of mutual promotion. With the wide spreading of lifelong learning idea, adult education system will gradually hold a definite place in the entire social policies. So is the Hong Kong' s development. Employment Retraining Bureau founded in 1993 is right a proof. The bureau mainly provides skill retraining for employment for the above-30-year-old unemployed people and those faced with dismissal. The upgrading of Open Learning Institiute of Hong Kong to Hong Kong Open University in 1997 and others mark that people, after leaving school, will have more opportunities to improve themselves once more. To sum up, in the mutual promotion of lifelong learning and economic system readjustment in the mid-1990's, Hong Kong has reaped benefit.