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Second. ry education
11.
In 1978, with sufficient Government or subsidised secondary school places (including some bought places in private schools) being available for all primary school leavers, a new placement and allocation scheme was introduced. Under this scheme secondary school allocation is based on the student's ability, as determined by internal assessment with external moderation, and parental choice.
12.
The current school building programme will provide some 130 new secondary schools. The additional Form I - III places in these schools will enable all students to take their junior second. ry education in schools of good quality, it is expected that the buying of places in the less satisfactory private schools will be phased out by 1982. The building programme, together with other planned measures, will provide sufficient senior secondary places (Forms IV-V) in the public sector for all suitable students during the next few years, with up to one-third of these students continuing to sixth form education. In order to increase the number of good quality schools in the public sector, a number of private non-profit-making schools that are suitable and willing will be raised to full-aided status in four stages, beginning from September 1979.
13.
Although junior secondary education is now provided free of charge in Chinese and Anglo-Chinese schools, it is the Government's policy that those who choose to take their education to higher levels should meet a reasonable share of the cost, where they are able to do so without hardship. Fees are to be raised from the present levels of $500 per annum in Forms IV V and $620 per annum in Form VI to $600 and $800 per annum respectively with effect from 1 September 1980. A fee remission scheme ensures that no student is prevented from continuing his education in the public sector on account of inability to pay fees.
14.
Most second ry schools offer five years of secondary eduction leading to the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination. Some schools, in particular secondary technical schools, have placed emphasis on technical subjects. While decisions on the curriculum are a matter for the schools themselves, it is the Government's policy to encourage most schools to offer a broad curriculum with provision for both academic and technical subjects.
15.
In September 1979, 524,392 children were attending secondary schools, of whom 326,433 children were in public sector places.