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EDUCATION

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Education Department. Candidates enter the examination at the end of a five years' course in Anglo-Chinese schools. Entry is restricted to school candidates. The examination tests general scholastic attainment and a pass is awarded on satisfactory per- formance in certain groups of subjects with some compulsory subjects. The number of candidates grows rapidly year by year, as the certificate is the qualification for proceeding to higher examinations, for admission to teacher training colleges, and for local employment.

Hong Kong Chinese School Certificate. This examination is conducted by a similar Syndicate. Candidates enter after com- pleting a six years' course in a Chinese Middle School. Only school candidates may enter and the pass requirements are like those of the School Certificate. The number of candidates shows a small increase each year. The status of this certificate is similar to the Hong Kong School Certificate.

Matriculation. The University of Hong Kong conducts the examination at Ordinary and Advanced levels. The standards are those of the General Certificate of Education. Passes at Advanced and Ordinary level are necessary to secure admission to the University and this certificate may also be used as an entrance qualification to teacher training colleges. Candidates are entered for the examination at Ordinary level after a one year's course in a 6th Form of an Anglo-Chinese grammar school, and for the Advanced level after a two years' course in a 6th Form. Admission to 6th Form is controlled by a pupil's performance in the Hong Kong School Certificate. Candidates other than bona fide school candidates are permitted to take the examination.

Overseas Examinations. (a) The Overseas General Certificate of Education is open to school children and some private candidates; a total of 2,611 entered during the year. Only those who have a good performance in the Hong Kong School Certificate are allowed to sit. (b) Other examinations. The Education Department acts as a local secretary for examining bodies in the United Kingdom and so makes many overseas examinations available to students in Hong Kong. The standard of performance required is identical with that of the examinations held in the United Kingdom. These examinations are mainly in commercial subjects, and Appendix VI

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