THE Education Department is inviting students of primary and secondary schools to join an essay competition and a painting contest aimed at removing prejudice against the disabled.
A spokesman for the Education Department said the competitions had been organised to cultivate in students a sense of caring and concern for the disabled who should have equal rights and opportunities as other people.
He said the competitions were follow-up activities to an education television programme, Treat Them Equal, Treat Them Right aired last month.
The spokesman added: ''Students are encouraged to think more deeply on acceptance of the disabled as equals by transforming their ideas into paintings and essays on the theme 'Equal opportunities and full participation: A better tomorrow for all'.'' The painting contest is open to students from Primary Four to Secondary Three while the essay competition in Chinese and English is for Secondary Four to Seven students.
The spokesman said all participants would be awarded a certificate and that more than 200 outstanding entries would be given book coupons valued between $200 and $1,000.
Schools with the highest scores based on the number and quality of entries would be awarded a trophy and a book coupon worth $2,000.
