CONFIDENTIAL
DRAFT
Chapter 6
機密
Remedial Teaching and the Staffing of Primary Schools
Remedial Teaching
6.1
For various reasons there is often a wide range of
ability in the intake of children of a primary school. While
educators may argue about the desirability of mixed ability, it is
a problem that many schools have to face. There will always be
children who find difficulty in keeping up with their fellow
pupils, and this is a particular problem in the basic subjects
of Chinese, English and Mathematics.
6.2
The traditional solution to this problem is repetition, by which
children who are having difficulties are made to repeat a year of their course
to give them an opportunity to catch up. Current estimates suggest that, as
a result of this practice, up to 30% of children receive seven years of
primary education rather than than six.
6.3
There are a number of disadvantages to repetition and these
include a wide age range in the class, boredom on the part of the repeater and too much pressure on the child to avoid relegation. Repetition also
represents a waste of a complete year to solve what may be a relatively
minor problem.
6.4
It has therefore been decided to encourage the practice of
remedial teaching. This involves taking a child out of his class and
giving additional help to enable him to catch up with the other children.
The help will be given in small groups where a great deal of individual
attention by the teacher can be given.
CONFIDENTIAL
/ Staffing
機密
1