EDUCATION
completed Secondary 5 with at least two passes in the HKCEE, and kindergartens to maintain a minimum proportion of 40 per cent trained teachers in each session. The Kindergarten Subsidy Scheme (KSS) was introduced in 1995 to minimise the impact on parents of fee increases resulting from these regulatory requirements. A review of the KSS was conducted in early 1996, resulting in an increase of 14 per cent to the rate of subsidy per pupil to $790 per annum and an adjustment to the eligibility cut- off point by 41 per cent to $11,700 per pupil per annum for the 1996–97 school year.
Primary Schools
Primary schooling, beginning at the age of six and lasting six years, is free. Although enough places are available in the public sector, about 10 per cent of parents prefer to send their children to private primary schools. Admission to Primary 1 in the public sector is processed through a central allocation system, which has helped to eliminate pressure on children caused by intense competition for entry to popular schools.
During the year, 464 200 children were enrolled in 857 public sector primary schools. Most primary schools operate bi-sessionally. With effect from September 1993, the normal class size in public sector schools is being reduced from 40 to 35, starting with Primary 1 and extending upwards by one level each year. In schools adopting the activity approach a more lively, pupil-oriented approach to teaching the original class size of 35 is being similarly reduced to 30. In September 1996, this was extended to Primary 4.
A new school design for primary schools has been drawn up to provide more facilities for activities other than formal teaching and administration. The first school with this design is expected to be completed in 1997. Some 210 schools have been provided with additional rooms and facilities under the first two phases of the School Improvement Programme which started in 1994.
Whole-day schooling for all primary students is the long-term goal. Any primary school wishing to convert to whole-day operation is encouraged to do so if the supply of school places in the district will not be adversely affected. New primary schools are run as whole-day schools wherever possible. During the year, 18 unisessional/ bisessional primary schools converted to whole day operation, bringing the total to 180.
The first phase of the policy to upgrade 35 per cent of primary school teachers to graduate status started in 1994. Up to the 1995-96 school year, a total of 365 graduate posts have been provided. Another 300 posts were made available for the 1996-97 school year. The intention of the policy is to upgrade the professional and managerial skills of staff in government and aided primary schools. The teacher-to- class ratio is 1.4:1 for whole-day classes (improved from 1.2 since September 1992). For bi-sessional classes, the phased improvement to 1.3 teachers per class began in September 1993.
Chinese is the medium of instruction in most primary schools, with English taught as a subject from Primary 1. Many schools teach Putonghua as a separate subject or during after-school activities. A few primary schools use English as the language of instruction.
The primary school curriculum aims to provide a coherent and well-balanced programme to promote the all-round development of the child. All public-sector primary schools adopt a core curriculum including Chinese, English, Mathematics,
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