EDUCATION
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expand the training programme by means of overseas training for the nucleus of specialist staff of the Special Education Section, local in-service courses for teachers in special schools and classes, and courses on special educational treatment for teachers-in-training at colleges of education.
At present, there are 31 special schools catering for some 4,000 blind, deaf, physically handicapped, mentally handicapped and maladjusted children. In addition, there are 44 special classes for 880 slow-learning children in 23 government primary schools, eight special classes for 80 partially hearing children in two government primary schools, and two special classes for 30 partially-sighted children in one government primary school. Over 400 mildly physically handicapped children have been placed in ordinary classes in government primary schools and government sub- sidised schools. These children are supervised regularly by the Special Education Section.
The Special Education Section provides diagnostic services which include audio- logic testing, psychological testing, speech screening, and educational assessment, as well as remedial services in auditory training and speech therapy. It also runs an audiometric screening programme and a speech screening programme in government primary schools. During the year, these services were made available to over 17,000 children. The section also runs in-service training courses for teachers of special schools and special classes. In addition, short courses on teaching of physically handi- capped children and seminars on speech therapy in the classroom are given to teachers in ordinary schools, and lectures on the education of handicapped children are given to teachers under training in the colleges of education. The section has a braille printing press which is operated by the Government Printer. This press prints all the Cantonese braille textbooks and supplies them to schools for the blind under government subsidy at one-tenth the actual cost. As a result, schools for the blind can purchase braille books at almost the same cost as standard textbooks.
Secondary Education
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There are five types of secondary schools: Anglo-Chinese grammar schools, Chinese middle schools, secondary technical schools, secondary modern schools and pre-vocational schools. The 232 Anglo-Chinese grammar day schools have an enrol- ment of 208,118 pupils. They offer a five-year course in the usual academic subjects leading to the Hong Kong Certificate of Education (English) Examination. Instruc- tion is in English, with Chinese taught as a second language. Successful certificate of education candidates may enter sixth forms for two years to prepare themselves for entrance to the University of Hong Kong or The Chinese University of Hong Kong. They may also study for the General Certificate of Education at both ordinary and advanced levels. In addition, there are 33,133 pupils attending tutorial or evening classes where instruction in secondary level subjects, mainly English language, is offered.
The 102 Chinese middle day schools accommodate 55,027 pupils and offer a five-year course in the usual academic subjects leading to the Hong Kong Certificate of Education (Chinese) Examination. Instruction is in Chinese, and English is taught