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EDUCATION
Primary school leavers who want subsidised junior secondary school places participate in a system of allocation known as the Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA). The system is based on internal school assessments scaled by a centrally-administered Academic Aptitude Test, parental choice of secondary schools, and the division of the territory into 24 school 'nets' or districts.
In July, all of the 90,006 Primary 6 leavers participating in the SSPA were allocated Form 1 or Middle 1 places in schools in the public sector, which comprises places in govern- ment and aided schools, private non-profit-making schools in receipt of per caput grants, and private independent schools in the 'bought places' scheme.
Chinese is the language of instruction in most primary schools, with English taught as a second language. However, 11 junior schools eight operated by the government- subvented English Schools Foundation and three by private bodies - cater for children whose first language is English.
During the year, the Student Guidance Scheme continued to expand. Fifty-six student guidance officers were providing a school social work service in 348 school sessions on the basis of one student guidance officer for about 3,000 pupils in urban schools, or 2,000 pupils in rural schools. It is planned that in two or three years, this service will eventually be extended to all primary schools.
Secondary Education
There are four main types of secondary schools - Anglo-Chinese secondary schools, Chinese middle schools, secondary technical schools and prevocational schools. The 321 Anglo- Chinese grammar day schools had enrolments totalling 386,531 (compared with 378,570 the previous year). They offer a five-year secondary course in a broad range of academic and cultural subjects leading to the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination. The medium of instruction is mainly English, although prominence is given to Chinese subjects. taught in Chinese. Certificate of Education candidates with suitable results may enter a two-year sixth-form course to prepare for the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination for admission to the University of Hong Kong. Most students also sit for the United Kingdom General Certificate of Education Examination at both ordinary and advanced levels.
In 1980, there were 87 Chinese middle schools accommodating 48,105 pupils, compared with 52,396 in 1979. Pupils at these schools also take courses leading to the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination. Instruction is mainly in Chinese with English being taught as a second language. A number of Chinese middle schools also offer a one-year Middle 6 course to prepare pupils for the Hong Kong Higher Level Examination for admission to the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Secondary technical courses were provided for 20,231 students in 23 schools. Ten of these schools are run by the government, 12 are aided and one is private. Instruction is in English with Chinese as a second language. Secondary technical establishments prepare their students for the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, but emphasis is given to technical and commercial subjects. Suitably qualified candidates can continue their studies in Form 6 or at technical institutes, the Hong Kong Polytechnic, or the Technical Teachers' College.
Prevocational schools are government-aided secondary schools basically offering three years of junior secondary education. Graduates of these schools may continue their educa- tion in the craft programmes offered by the technical institutes. From 1981, a small number of senior secondary classes will be provided for the more academically capable pupils to