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Fourth 'R' on path to literacy

The drive to improve youth literacy in the four 'Rs' has consolidated with new headquarters in Hunghom.

The fourth 'R' equals computer literacy, and the Fourth R Children's Computer Education Centre set up shop at the beginning of the month in the Internet Zone at Whampoa Garden, Kowloon.

Fourth R centres are equipped with advanced multimedia computers and peripherals to teach children computer literacy at an early age to complement the three 'Rs' of reading, writing and arithmetic.

Fourth R (Hong Kong) Tai Po-tim president said: 'Parents today are concerned that their children acquire and keep up with computer technology. We aim to build the future here, helping children develop valuable skills they can use now and in the future.' Richard Li King-hang, the director of Information Technology Services at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, said children should use computers as learning tools rather than just as toys.

'A computer is no longer a privilege for computer engineering students or computer students.

'It occurs in every aspect of life, study and work. And children should grow up with cyber-knowledge when they are young.' He said computers, like calculators and typewriters, might become essential and would be a bargaining point in job-hunting.

The Fourth R offers computer courses to children from the age of four, which Mr Li said was a good age to start.

Daniel Lai, vice-president of the Hong Kong Computer Society, said multimedia was useful for child learning.

'Interactive multimedia - unlike conventional software where there are only words and diagrams - involves images, sounds, music, movement and interaction,' he said. 'These encourage child interest and help them memorise too.' The Fourth R has five other learning centres in Hong Kong at Yau Ma Tei, Tsuen Wan, Wan Chai, Caine Road and Kornhill Road.

They offer weekly classes designed to build and tune computer skills, from basic computer vocabulary to programming and advanced computer applications.

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