APPENDIX III—Contd.
Secondary Education
There are five main types of secondary schools: Anglo-Chinese grammar schools, Chinese middle schools, secondary technical schools, secondary modern schools and pre-vocational schools. Admission to the government and aided sectors is based on the results of a Secondary School Entrance Examination, open to all primary six pupils and conducted by the Education Department.
The purpose and content of secondary education in Hong Kong are derived from the idea of a liberal education as it has been understood and developed in Britain. This general purpose accords with the expectations and values of the local community, and has readily accommodated the study of Chinese Language, literature and history. At the same time the provision of technical and pre-vocational education reflects specific need of the local community.
The Anglo-Chinese grammar and Chinese middle schools both offer a five-year course leading to a Certificate of Education, the first language of instruction of these two types of schools being English and Chinese respectively. These secondary schools also offer a two-year or one-year matriculation course to prepare students for entrance to the University of Hong Kong or the Chinese University of Hong Kong. A five-year course in English with Chinese as a second language leading to the Certificate of Educa- tion Examination is also provided in the technical schools.
Pre-vocational education is a three-year post-primary course based on roughly 50 per cent general education and 50 per cent basic practical training in at least three major fields of Hong Kong's industrial development. This is to avoid specialization which is inappropriate at this level. An opportunity for further training is provided in the Technical Institute.
The secondary modern schools provide a three-year course in general subjects together with woodwork and metalwork for boys and housecraft and commercial subjects for girls.
Technical Education
Public interest in technical education continues to grow although the traditional preference for the more formal academic type of education is still strong. More and more young people are becoming aware of the fact that technical education can lead to remunerative careers in industry.
Technical education is provided in secondary technical schools, pre-vocational schools, vocational schools as well as the Morrison Hill Technical Institute and the Hong Kong Polytechnic.
The Technical Institute provides a wide range of facilities for the training of craftsmen and lower-level technicians through full-time and part-time courses. It also offers courses in business studies and for the training of technical teachers and workshop in- structors. The courses are fully vocational and cater for those who have completed their secondary education as well as for those who for some reasons have been unable to complete their secondary education.
The Polytechnic offers a variety of full-time, part-time and evening courses up to higher diploma level, concentrating on the training of technicians and technologists.
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