ENG-1962 — Page 156

EDUCATION

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been achieved there is still a clear need for many more primary school places. The development programme will continue and the needs of new centres of population will receive particular attention.

In the first nine months of the year 40 new schools were built, some by Government and others by private organizations both with or without Government assistance. These schools, together with extensions to existing schools, provided 37,980 new primary places and 5,670 new secondary places. On 30th September 1962, 145 schools were being built. These are expected to provide another 130,000 primary, 47,000 secondary grammar and 3,000 secondary modern places.

PRIMARY EDUCATION

Primary education is of six years' duration. In Chinese schools it normally begins at the age of six, and in English schools at the age of five. The majority of primary schools are Chinese schools where the medium of instruction is Cantonese. English is studied as a second language beginning in the third year, although some schools start earlier. At the end of the primary course comes the secondary school entry examination, which was held for the first time in May 1962, taking the place of the joint primary six examination which was held for the last time in 1961. Five Government primary schools teach children whose normal language is English.

Kindergarten Schools. Kindergarten education is not included in the Government system of education, but there is an increasing demand for this type of school and many new kindergartens have been opened for children aged from four to six. These schools are registered with the Education Department, and are advised by the inspectorate (kindergarten section).

Special Schools. Fourteen special schools cater for the blind, the deaf, the physically handicapped, and the mentally deficient. The special schools section of the inspectorate provides training courses for teachers. The recommendations of the Hilliard Report on mental deficiency have been accepted by Government as a basic guide in dealing with the problem of mental deficiency. Dr Frisina, Professor of Audiology at Gallaudet College, Washington, arrived in Hong Kong in October for a two month visit arranged