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"I have full confidence that the committee, the members of which are drawn from various educational sectors, will make valuable contribution to the smooth implementation of the Target Oriented Curriculum initiative," he said.

Mr Lam noted that TOC would initially be adopted in the three core subjects of Chinese, English and Mathematics. It will be implemented in Primary 1 classes of 76 schools this September, extending to all primary 1 classes in 1996, and will gradually be extended upwards thereafter.

End/Tuesday, June 20, 1995

1,400 Chinese immigrant children secured school places

Some 1,400 Chinese immigrant children who have approached the Education Department for assistance have been successfully placed in Hong Kong school system in the past six months.

Of these, 1,216, or 87 per cent, were primary students. They secured school places within weeks.

A spokesman for the Education Department described today (Tuesday) the high placement rate as the result of the co-operation and the close working relationship between district education officers and school operators.

"The department will continue to study other means to further improve the procedure of placing Chinese immigrant children in our schools," he said.

The spokesman clarified that parental choice is put in the first place in this

exercise.

"A preliminary interview on the education background of the applicant will be conducted when the parents make their first visit to the District Education Offices for assistance.

"Parents will be advised to approach schools of their choice with relevant information provided by and, advice given by district education officers," he explained.