EDUCATION
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Hong Kong, the University of London and some overseas univer- sities recognise Grade C and above in individual subjects as equiva- lent to ordinary level passes in the University of London General Certificate of Education.
The Hong Kong Certificate of Education (Chinese) examination is also conducted by a board. It is similar to the Hong Kong Certifi- cate of Education (English) examination, but is of course conducted in Chinese.
In January 1969, a Working Party was set up under the chair- manship of Sir Charles Hartwell, CMG to make proposals for the establishment of an independent examinations authority which will be responsible for all local public secondary school examinations, provide technical assistance in the conduct of the Secondary School Entrance examinations, and conduct such other local or overseas examinations as may appear to be needed.
In 1969, for the first time, extensive use was made of the govern- ment computer to process the Hong Kong Certificate of Education (English) examination and to mark sections of six major papers, which had been set in the multiple-choice form. Sections of the Secondary School Entrance examination were also marked by the same computer, which then allocated secondary school places to pupils in accordance with their results and their stated preferences.
The Education Department provides a local secretary for various examining bodies in Britain and elsewhere and so makes available to students in Hong Kong many overseas examinations at stand- ards comparable with those in Britain. Of these examinations, the General Certificate of Education is open to both school and private candidates who hold a local certificate of education of the required standard, and to private candidates of 25 years of age or over.
The University of London Degree examinations are also con- ducted annually in May and June. Appendix XXVII shows the more important examinations held in Hong Kong and the number of candidates entering for them.
MUSIC AND ART IN SCHOOLS
The 21st Annual School Music Festival attracted 8,167 individual entries, 927 more than in 1968, and an estimated 40,000 competitors took part in the 372 available classes.