TNAG-1073-FCO40-1323-Policy-of-the-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-including-1981 — Page 189

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extension from one year to two years, and with the introduction of

third-year courses in selected subjects; the Advisory Inspectorate was

expanded and its range of advisory and supporting services greatly

extended; development programmes were introduced for special education;

the Curriculum Development Committee was formed; the Hong Kong Certificate

of Education examination was re-organised to allow greater flexibility

in the choice of language used by candidates; a regionalised administrative

system was introduced in the Education Department to secure closer liaison

with schools; and an educational television service was provided for

primary schools (with progressive extension to the secondary sector at a

later stage).

2.4

The 1965 White Paper had stated "that the final aim of any

educational policy must be to provide every child with the best education

which he or she is capable of absorbing, at a cost which the parents and

the community can afford". With the achievement of the primary education

target in sight, it was possible to improve on the recommendation that

between 15 and 20 per cent of those completing the primary course should

receive subsidised secondary education. In 1970 it was decided that a

further major expansion of secondary education was necessary, and steps

were taken to increase the provision of subsidised secondary education

to a total of 50 per cent of the Forms I III age group. By 1971 free

primary education was available to all.

2.5

K

In 1974 a white paper affirmed the ultimate objective of a place

for all children of the appropriate age who qualified for and wanted a

secondary school education. Meanwhile, the public (subsidised) sector

was now to be expanded to accommodate all children in the 12-14 age group

for the first three years of secondary schooling, and sufficient places

te

ive

Dr