XN000022-1974-07-31 — Page 21

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VEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1974

SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION: A CLARIFICATION

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS WORKING TOWARDS THE ABOLITION OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION.

HOWEVER, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY DESCRIBED AS +MISLEADING THE HEADLINE ON THE FRONT PACE OF A KORNING NEWSPAPER WHICH READ: +SSEE TO BE SCRAPPED IN '76+. HE WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM A NUMBER OF NEUSPAPERS.

THE SPOKESHAN SAID IT WOULD BE UNFAIR TO RAISE THE HOPES' OF CHILDREN WHO WOULD HAVE TO SIT FOR THE EXAMINATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ABOLITION OF THE EXAMINATION DEPENDED ON THE PROVISION OF SUFFICIENT SECONDARY PLACES FOR CHILDREN IN THE 12-16 AGE GROUP.

+NO EXACT DATE CAN BE PREDICTED AT PRESENT ON WHEN THE EXAMINATION CAN BE REMOVED, HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN RECALLED THAT IN APRIL THIS YEAR, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION CEXAMINATION), KR. BASIL BOARD TOLD A SEMINAR THAT HE WOULD CERTAINLY VELCOME THE ABOLITION OF THE SSEE +NOT ONLY FOR ITS LIBERATING EFFECT ON THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS, BUT ON WIDER GROUNDS ALSO.+

MR. BOARD POINTED OUT THAT THE EXAMINATION HAD GROWN TO ITS PRESENT SIZE AND ELABORATION PARTLY BECAUSE OF SPONTANEOUS DEMAND FROM NON-GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS TO PARTICIPATE, AND PARTLY BECAUSE THE VERY SUDSTANTIAL PUBLIC SUBSIDY OF SECONDARY EDUCATION REQUIRED SOME PUBLIC CONTROL OVER THE SELECTION AND ALLOCATION PROCESS.