EDUCATION
ensures a balanced distribution of members from the industrial, commercial and academic fields.
Kindergartens
In September 1998, 175 100 children (mostly aged three to five) were enrolled in 744 kindergartens. Most kindergartens operate in half-day sessions.
To improve the quality of kindergarten education, the government has acted to raise the qualifications of kindergarten principals and teachers. Starting from the 1998-99 school year, the entry qualification for kindergarten teachers has been further enhanced to include a minimum language benchmark. The minimum proportion of professionally trained Qualified Kindergarten Teachers (QKTs) in kindergartens will be increased from 40 per cent to 60 per cent over three years starting from September 1997. For better qualifications and leadership, all newly appointed kindergarten principals are required to have completed the Certificate in Kindergarten Education or its equivalent effective from September 2004.
The Kindergarten Subsidy Scheme was introduced in 1995 to help kindergartens meet the proportion of QKTs required by government without having to increase their fees substantially. Improvements have been made to the scheme from the 1998-99 school year. Disbursement of subsidy is made on a per class basis to minimise fluctuations in the level of assistance provided to kindergartens. To encourage kindergartens to employ more QKTs sooner than required in progressing to achieve the 60 per cent target, an enhanced rate of subsidy is provided to kindergartens employing a higher percentage of QKTs than the stipulated requirement.
Primary Schools
Schooling in government and aided primary schools is free. About 10 per cent of parents prefer to send their children to private primary schools. Admission to Primary 1 in aided and government schools is through a centralised system, established to eliminate pressure on children caused by intense competition for entry to popular schools. In September 1998, 431 600 children were enrolled in 741 government and aided primary schools.
Most primary schools operate bi-sessionally but the government aims to implement whole-day primary schooling progressively. Schools are encouraged to convert to whole-day operation where feasible. Since 1993, all new primary schools are operated on a whole-day basis where the demand and supply of school places permit. The government's interim target is to enable 60 per cent of places in government and aided primary schools to be operated on whole-day basis in the 2002-03 school year. The government plans to build about 70 schools in 1999 to 2002. In his 1998 Policy Address the Chief Executive has announced that the longer term aim is for virtually all primary school students to enjoy whole-day schooling from the start of the 2007-08 school year. In pursuing this aim, the government recognises constraints such as the availability of sufficient school sites in individual districts and possible shifts in population growth and distribution.
The government regularly updates and improves the design for primary schools. In parallel, works to improve facilities in existing schools have been carried out under
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