EDUCATION
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leading to the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE). Most offer, in addition, a two-year sixth form course leading to the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE), a few offer a one-year sixth form leading to the Hong Kong Higher Level Examination, and some do not have sixth forms.
There were 22 technical schools with a total enrolment of 21 581. They prepare students for the HKCEE with emphasis on technical and commercial subjects. Qualified candidates can continue their studies in the sixth form or in technical institutes.
There were 22 prevocational schools with a total enrolment of 18233. These offer an alternative form of secondary education suited to students with an aptitude for practical and technical subjects. They provide a solid foundation of general knowledge and a broad introduction to technical and practical education upon which future vocational training may be based. The curriculum in Secondary 1 to 3 is made up of about 40 per cent technical and practical subjects and 60 per cent general subjects. The technical and practical content is reduced to about 30 per cent in Secondary 4 and 5. Students completing Secondary 3 in a prevocational school may enter approved apprenticeship schemes or continue their studies to Secondary 5 and subsequently take the HKCEE. Qualified candidates can continue their studies in polytechnics or technical institutes. In 1992, some prevocational schools will provide sixth form classes, to prepare students for technical or other studies in the polytechnics, universities or other tertiary institutions.
A working group on sixth form education, comprising principals from all types of secondary schools, representatives of tertiary institutions and the Hong Kong Exam- inations Authority (HKEA) and government officials, was set up to advise the Secretary for Education and Manpower on the implementation of the new policy on the sixth form which was announced in 1988. Major changes were recommended to take effect in 1992: the abolition of the Higher Level Examination; the introduction of Advanced Level subjects in the medium of Chinese; the adoption of a uniform two-year sixth form course in all types of secondary school, and the introduction of new courses leading to an Advanced Supplementary Examination. During the year, syllabus outlines for 15 Advanced Supplementary and two new Advanced Level subjects were drafted.
Special Education
Special education continued to develop in line with the objectives of the 1977 White Paper on Rehabilitation and the subsequent annual reviews of the Rehabilitation Programme Plan. Altogether, 15 186 special places for handicapped children were provided in 1990.
There were 71 special schools providing 8986 places for the more severely handicapped, including the blind, the deaf, the physically handicapped, the mentally handicapped, the maladjusted and socially deprived and those with learning difficulties. There were 936 residential places provided in boarding sections of 16 special schools. In addition, there were 418 special education classes in ordinary schools providing 6200 places for the partially sighted, the partially hearing and students with learning difficulties:
In 1990, 27 special schools were equipped with microcomputers for teaching computer literacy and computer studies. Where necessary, adaptive equipment was also provided to help handicapped students to use computers as communication and rehabilitation aids.
An integrated programme to provide remedial support for mildly handicapped children in non-profit-making kindergartens was implemented in 1988 and extended to 16 kinder- gartens in 1990.