G
· 6 ·
A.
SCHOOLS
2.10 Structure
The school system encompasses two or three years
(normally two) of kindergarten education (Kindergarten 1 3;
notional ages 3 -5, or Kindergarten 1-2; ages 4-5); followed
by six years of primary education (Primary 1 6; ages 6-11),
three years of junior secondary education (Forms I - III; ages 12 -
14), two years of senior secondary education (Forms IV - V; ages 15
16) and one or two years of sixth-form education (Forms Lower VI
Upper VI; ages 17 18, or Form Middle VI; age 17). It should be
noted that the age limits are not rigidly enforced see paragraph
2.14 below. The chart at appendix E shows the interrelationship
of the school system and tertiary education.
English schools (q.v.) is slightly different.
2.11
school
GR
The structure for
At the secondary level, the existence of two categories of
Anglo-Chinese and Chinese Middle formally differentiated
by language of instruction (see paragraph 2.16 below), has led to
structural complications in the school system.
The two categories
originally served separately organised systems. Anglo-Chinese schools
were modelled on the British pattern (a five-year secondary course,
followed by a two-year sixth-form course, and offering the opportunity
of access in the main to three-year university courses); the Chinese
Middle schools on the other hand originally provided junior middle
courses followed by senior middle courses each of three years' duration,
the senior courses providing access to four-year university or post-
secondary courses. In 1960, however, the junior and senior middle
courses (3 + 3 years) of the Chinese Middle schools were converted
to a conventional five-year secondary course followed by a one-year