- 21
Friday, October 9, 1970
In reply to suggestions for abolition of the secondary schools
entrance examination, he regretted he saw no fairer method at this time
than this test for awarding secondary school places available in government
and aided schools to those most likely to profit from the high-standard typo
of education provided.
Even as Hong Kong proceeded to three years of secondary education
for all, there would still be a neod for selection procedures since
"prostigious" schools would always have more pupils seeking entry than they
could accommodato.
On a "continuous crash programme for universal post-primary
education," he said the Finance Committee had already approved the "broad
aims and the financial implications of the now post-primary policy," and it
was its wish that details be further examined.
Considerable progress had been made, and he hoped it would soon be
possible to seek approval for a detailed, specific programme of expansion.
On teacher training, a review was being made of the whole of the
teacher-training arrangemont in the light of additional commitments arising
in the context of the new post-primary policy.
Mr. Canning said any future expansion of technical institutes would
depend on an adequate supply of trained technical teachers.
The building and operation of the four additional technical institutes
recommended by the Industrial Training Advisory Committee would require
considerable sums of money for capital and recurrent expenditure, but he hoped
it would be possible for an early decision to be made.
36
/22