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EDUCATION

full-time post-graduate course which leads to a teaching qualifica- tion. This year 72 graduates were enrolled in the course. The department also offers part-time courses of two years' duration to enable graduates already employed in schools to obtain a profes- sional qualification. The present enrolment is 52 graduates.

EXAMINATIONS

The Local Examination System. There are four local school examinations, three conducted by the Education Department and one by the University of Hong Kong.

The Secondary School Entrance Examination is a competitive examination to select pupils for places in Government and aided secondary schools and for aided places in private secondary schools. It is conducted by the Education Department and an examination committee is appointed to advise the director on general policy. All primary schools are invited to participate. Entrance from each school is limited to 60 per cent of its primary six pupils, but this percentage may be increased up to 100 per cent where justified by previous examination results. Scholarships for a full secondary school course are awarded on the results of the examination.

The Hong Kong English School Certificate Examination is con- ducted by a syndicate of representatives of participating schools and the Education Department. Candidates enter the examination at the end of a five-year 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, including some compulsory subjects. The number of candidates increases rapidly year by year as the certificate is the qualification for proceeding to higher examinations, for admission to teacher training colleges, and for certain types of local employment.

The Hong Kong Chinese School Certificate Examination is con- ducted by a similar syndicate. Candidates enter after completing a six-year course in a Chinese middle school. Only school can- didates may enter, and the pass requirements compare with those of the English school certificate. The number of candidates shows a small decrease each year. The status of this certificate is similar to the English school certificate. The re-organization of this

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