EDUCATION
subjects, had an enrolment of 21 395. Qualified candidates can continue their studies in the sixth form or in technical institutes.
The 26 prevocational schools, with an enrolment of 22 299, emphasise practical and technical subjects upon which future vocational training may be based, while providing a good foundation of general knowledge. The curriculum in Secondary 1 to 3 has a technical and practical content of about 40 per cent, but it is reduced to about 30 per cent in Secondary 4 and 5. Students completing Secondary 3 in prevocational schools may enter an approved apprenticeship scheme, or continue in school and take the HKCEE. Qualified students can then proceed to the sixth form, or a course in a technical college or technical institute.
=
The two practical schools, with a total capacity of 900 places, offer a curriculum with a practical orientation and strong guidance support. They help students develop their interest in, and motivation towards, studies and prepare them for further studies in vocational training or senior secondary education. The three skills opportunity schools, with a total capacity of 900 places, offer a tailor-made and skills-orientated curriculum to help students who have severe learning problems to acquire basic social and vocational skills.
Secondary 3 leavers are selected for subsidised places in Secondary 4 or basic craft courses, according to internal school assessments and parental preference. The selection process aims to enable as many students as possible to progress to Secondary 4 within the same school. In 1995, 77 674 students took part in the exercise, of whom 64 256 (82.73 per cent) secured Secondary 4 places in public sector schools, and 4 915 (6.33 per cent) were admitted to basic craft courses. Admission to Secondary 6 depends on results in the HKCEE. In 1995, all 23 790 places available were filled. To meet provision targets, new secondary schools are built and places are bought from private schools. During the year, seven new secondary schools, including one prevocational school, were completed, providing 8 120 places.
Most new schools are built to the standard design introduced in 1990. The first phase of the school improvement programme, which will provide more space for non- teaching activities, covered more than 100 primary and secondary schools.
The staffing ratio in government and aided secondary schools is 1.3 teachers per class in Secondary 1 to 5, and two teachers per class in the sixth form. Additional teachers are supplied to strengthen language teaching; provide remedial teaching, careers guidance, counselling, extra-curricular activities and library services; and to enable split-class teaching of cultural, craft and technical subjects, as well as some sixth form subjects. The ratio of graduate to non-graduate teachers is about 7:3. The student/teacher ratio is about 20:1.
The Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) was introduced in 1991 to enhance the private secondary school sector and improve the quality and diversity of education. Private secondary schools meeting specified standards can receive a government subsidy for each eligible student. They are free to decide on their own curriculum and to set entrance requirements and fee levels. A total of 12 schools have joined the DSS. A review of the scheme was started in 1995. As part of the same policy package, the Bought Place Scheme will be phased out. Schools in the scheme are being helped to raise their standards so that they may, if they wish, apply to join the DSS. During the year, 18 private schools operated under contracts with the government which specify improvements in areas such as whole-day operation, class structure, teacher
143