XN000022-1977-01-28 — Page 2

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 1077

NEED TO BROADEN RANGE OF SUBJECTS IN FORM 6 STRESSED

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THERE IS A NEED TO BROADEN THE RANGE OF SUBJECTS OFFERED ON SIXTH FORM COURSES IN HONG KONG'S SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THESE COURSES SHOULD NOT ONLY PREPARE STUDENTS FOR UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE BUT ALSO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND THE PROFESSIONAL AND PARA-PROFESSIONAL BODIES FOR WHICH A UNIVERSITY DEGREE IS NOT NECESSARY.

THIS WAS STRESSED IN THE REPORT OF AN INFORMAL WORKING COMMITTEE SET UP BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR. KENNETH TOPLEY.

THE REPORT, ENTITLED +SIXTH FORM EDUCATION IN HONG KONG+, WAS ISSUED TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR WHO EMPHASISED THAT IT GAVE THE VIEWS OF THE WORKING COMMITTEE AND DID NOT REFLECT ANY GOVERNMENT OR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT POLICY.

COPIES OF THE REPORT HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, THE POLYTECHNIC AND MAJOR SCHOOLS COUNCILS WHO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SEND IN THE IR COMMENTS BY MARCH 31.

MR. TOPLEY SAID THAT WHILE IN HIS OPINION THE REPORT WAS NOT A RADICAL ONE, IT RECOMMENDED CHANGES WHICH, IF ACCEPTED, WOULD RESULT IN MAJOR CHANGES IN THE PATTERN OF SIXTH FORM EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.

THE REPORT WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AFTER ALL COMMENTS FROM THE PARTIES CONCERNED HAD BEEN RECEIVED,

IN THE REPORT, THE WORKING COMMITTEE SAID IT DID NOT SEE IT AS ITS FUNCTION TO RECOMMEND DETAILED LISTS OF SPECIFIC SUBJECTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED FORM 6 COURSE.

IT SAID: +THIS WOULD REQUIRE CONSULTATION WITH THE UNIVERSITIES, THE POLYTECHNIC, OTHER INSTITUTIONS CONDUCTING TERTIARY TRAINING COURSES AND THE MAJOR EDUCATIONAL BODIES IN HONG KONG.+

+WHEN THE SYSTEM HAD BEEN AGREED AND THE SUBJECTS TO PE TAUGHT ON ITS COURSES ESTABLISHED THROUGH CONSULTATION, THE PRODUCTION OF THE NECESSARY SYLLABUSES WOULD BE A MATTER FOR THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE,+

THE WORKING COMMITTEE HAS MADE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS:

* FORM 6 COURSES SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE RUN AS PART OF A

NORMAL SECONDARY SCHOOL AND NOT IN SUCH SEPARATE INSTITUTIONS AS SIXTH FORM COLLEGES.

* FORM 6 COURSES SHOULD FIRST AND FOREMOST BE GEARED TO MEET

THE NEEDS OF THE PUPILS AT THE IR STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AND SHOULD NOT BE UNDULY INFLUENCED BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.