TNAG-1073-FCO40-1323-Policy-of-the-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-including-1981 — Page 193

G

· 6 ·

A.

SCHOOLS

2.10 Structure

The school system encompasses two or three years

(normally two) of kindergarten education (Kindergarten 1 3;

notional ages 3 -5, or Kindergarten 1-2; ages 4-5); followed

by six years of primary education (Primary 1 6; ages 6-11),

three years of junior secondary education (Forms I - III; ages 12 -

14), two years of senior secondary education (Forms IV - V; ages 15

16) and one or two years of sixth-form education (Forms Lower VI

Upper VI; ages 17 18, or Form Middle VI; age 17). It should be

noted that the age limits are not rigidly enforced see paragraph

2.14 below. The chart at appendix E shows the interrelationship

of the school system and tertiary education.

English schools (q.v.) is slightly different.

2.11

school

GR

The structure for

At the secondary level, the existence of two categories of

Anglo-Chinese and Chinese Middle formally differentiated

by language of instruction (see paragraph 2.16 below), has led to

structural complications in the school system.

The two categories

originally served separately organised systems. Anglo-Chinese schools

were modelled on the British pattern (a five-year secondary course,

followed by a two-year sixth-form course, and offering the opportunity

of access in the main to three-year university courses); the Chinese

Middle schools on the other hand originally provided junior middle

courses followed by senior middle courses each of three years' duration,

the senior courses providing access to four-year university or post-

secondary courses. In 1960, however, the junior and senior middle

courses (3 + 3 years) of the Chinese Middle schools were converted

to a conventional five-year secondary course followed by a one-year