Continuing Education Scheme

DSEJ due to maintain Continuing Education Scheme

2013-5-29

From：Macau Daily Times

Launched in July 2011 by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ), the Continuing Education Development Scheme has grabbed the attention of the 104,036 Macau residents who were able to participate, according to the institution. Following a survey among participants, DSEJ revealed that “98 per cent of the residents surveyed urge the program to continue”.
In the scope of this educational scheme, participants have benefited from government-subsidized courses, to improve their knowledge of areas ranging from finance and foreign languages to tourism or information technology. The total amount invested so far is MOP230m. The scheme, which is reaching its end in December, aims to enhance local residents’ skills in different areas, improve quality of life and to promote  the sustainable development of society.
“They [the participants] believe it is good to develop their capacities and to acquire a more in-depth knowledge of important matters in Macau. 80 per cent added that, through the program, they could also develop their professional [skills]”, said Leong Vai Kei the Head of the Education Department. He went on to explain: “DSEJ is now trying to hear the opinions of residents who didn’t participate in the scheme, to see what type of courses they would find more interesting”.
However, along the way, the program met a few difficulties with irregularities being discovered following an audit performed last year. A report from the Audit Commission stated that DSEJ’s performance in the implementation, management and supervision of the program had presented several problems. According to the Audit Commission, these included amounts of money spent on training courses that were unjustifiably approved by DSEJ.
Questioned about the consequences of such irregularities, during a press conference held yesterday, the Head of the Education Department of DSEJ said the institution “now has measures to better supervise the program, to know if all students attend the courses or if educational institutions are meeting the goals and rules under the contracts.”
“We have launched a survey to ask participants whether they will finish their courses, if the timetables have been changed or if any professors have been replaced,” Leong Vai Kei explained. Moreover, the institution has put in place a system with a set of criteria to handle possible irregularities. “First we give a verbal warning, then a written one and in more serious cases we forward the cases to the authorities, particularly to the Public Prosecutor,” she added. So far DSEJ dispensed 610 verbal warnings and 76 written warnings. Three cases were referred to the Public Prosecutor. These last three irregularities are related to “forgery of documents” but DSEJ directorate refused to provide any further details as “the cases are still under investigation”. Staff reporter

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