TNAG-0251-FCO40-287-Education-policy-of-government-of-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 36

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Friday, October 9, 1970

In reply to suggestions for abolition of the secondary schools

entrance examination, he regretted he saw no fairer method at this time

than this test for awarding secondary school places available in government

and aided schools to those most likely to profit from the high-standard typo

of education provided.

Even as Hong Kong proceeded to three years of secondary education

for all, there would still be a neod for selection procedures since

"prostigious" schools would always have more pupils seeking entry than they

could accommodato.

On a "continuous crash programme for universal post-primary

education," he said the Finance Committee had already approved the "broad

aims and the financial implications of the now post-primary policy," and it

was its wish that details be further examined.

Considerable progress had been made, and he hoped it would soon be

possible to seek approval for a detailed, specific programme of expansion.

On teacher training, a review was being made of the whole of the

teacher-training arrangemont in the light of additional commitments arising

in the context of the new post-primary policy.

Mr. Canning said any future expansion of technical institutes would

depend on an adequate supply of trained technical teachers.

The building and operation of the four additional technical institutes

recommended by the Industrial Training Advisory Committee would require

considerable sums of money for capital and recurrent expenditure, but he hoped

it would be possible for an early decision to be made.

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