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Because there is a physical limit to the number

of secondary schools that can be built annually, the

full effects of this expansion programme will not be

felt until 1991 at which time the Commission's proposals

- would allow JSEA to be phased out. However during the

period up to 1991 the provision of post-Form 3 public

*.

sector places will show a steady expansion, and Hean

assure Mrs Rita Fan and Mes-Pauline Ng-that the pressure

which the JSEA puts on students, parents and, school

as both Mrs Rita fan and his Pauling Ng wish to se authorities will steadily lessen. In addition, the

Education Department will, in the next few months,

conduct a formal operational review of JSEA with a view

to lightening the administrative burden of JSEA on the

participating schools.

It has been suggested by some interest groups,

including the Hong Kong Private Schools Association,

that the JSEA could be abolished immediately if the

administration were to buy sufficient Form 4 and 5

places from the private, profit-making schools, as

happened when it was decided to make junior secondary

education both free and compulsory. Mrs Selina Chow has

also advocated this approach as she wishes to remove the

ove

JSEA as quickly as possible.