2.
Principal targets and recommendations
2.1
The Government's prime objective for education over the next decade is to expand the opportunities for students to continue their education on a subsidised basis in schools and technical institutes after completing Form III. Much emphasis will be placed also on improving the quality of education, in particular through improved teacher training and in-service training arrangements, and through increased resources for schools. In tertiary education, the expansion of the universities will continue.
2.2
The Government's aim is to provide a range of opportunities, mainly in schools and technical institutes, for students to continue their education on a subsidised basis after completing Form III. The programme described in this Green Paper will improve upon the targets for senior secondary education outlined in the 1974 White Paper by providing by 1981 in Government, aided and private non profit-making schools sufficient Form IV places, with subsequent progression up to Form V, for 50% of the 15 year old population. At that time there will be full and part-time places on craft-level courses in technical institutes for a further 14% of the age group. By 1986 such subsidised senior secondary places will be available for some 63% of the population and there will be subsidised places on craft-level courses in technical institutes for a further 20% of the population. Other types of public- sector places will be available for the Form III leaver in adult education centres and in special institutions such as the Police Cadet School. There is separate provision for the children of expatriate families and for those within the ambit of special education. Some students may choose to go to independent schools even when sufficient publicly-provided places are available.
2.3
The curriculum of Forms IV-V should be broadened, in particular to include a greater emphasis on practical and technical subjects. The development of new subjects within the curriculum will enable students of different aptitudes to be provided for, though the nature of the course should continue to be geared to the needs of the abler section of the population who are capable of satisfactory performance in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE). The range of subjects in this examination should be broadened similarly, though the present standard of grades A-E should be maintained.
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