SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1975
NEW FEES FOR 1976 'CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION
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FEES FOR THE 1976 HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION WILL BE INCREASED TO HELP OFFSET PART OF THE RISING EXAMINATION COSTS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TO-DAY (SATURDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE INCREASES WERE MADE NECESSARY BY THE FACT THAT THE FEES CHARGED FOR THE 1975 EXAMINATION PRODUCED ONLY ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE REVENUE APPROPRIATE TO THE POLICY ON FINANCING THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
THE POLICY, LAID DOWN IN THE 1965 EDUCATION POLICY STATEMENT IS TO COVER DIRECT RECURRENT EXAMINATION COSTS, IN WHICH CAPITAL OR PERMANENT STAFF COSTS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
THE INCREASES ANNOUNCED ARE - THE INITIAL ENTRY FEE FOR ALL CANDIDATES FROM $20 TO $25, THE PER SUBJECT FEE FOR SCHOOL CANDIDATES FROM $3 TO $5 AND THE PER SUBJECT FEE FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES FROM $5 TO $10.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE PRESENT UPWARD REVISION WILL GO SOME WAY TOWARDS MEETING THE SHORTFALL. BUT HE SAID THAT TO BE IN LINE WITH THE APPROVED POLICY, FURTHER INCREASES ARE LIKELY IN FUTURE YEARS.
THE NEW FEES WERE DECIDED BY GOVERNMENT AFTER CONSULTING THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION BOARD.
REMISSION OF EXAMINATION FEES IS PERMITTED UP TO A MAXIMUM OF TEN PER CENT WITHIN EACH SCHOOL. FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES THERE IS NO FEE REMISSION.
THE COST TO PUBLIC FUNDS OF THE FEE REMISSION SCHEME HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE NEW FEES.
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