ENG-1964 — Page 101

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Education

A DAILY phenomenon in Hong Kong is the surge of activity as more than three quarters of a million students stream in or out of their schools. With ground space at a premium, schoolbuildings must be used to capacity and may be occupied continuously in two sessions from eight a.m. until six p.m. In the evening too, the same schools may serve more children in an early evening session, or be used for evening classes or as adult recreation and training centres. By the end of September enrolment in primary schools alone was 596,971, which is 24,548 more than in 1963, while enrol- ment in all types of secondary schools had increased by 17,042 to 177,680. Altogether there are 854,279 pupils enrolled at all schools, colleges and education centres, 43,647 more than in 1963. Detailed figures are given in Appendix XXIII.

The pattern of educational development has been under intensive study beginning with the visit of an Education Commission to Hong Kong in 1963. The report by Mr R. M. Marsh, MA, County Education Officer of Hampshire County Council and Mr J. R. Sampson, FSAA, FIMTA, County Treasurer of the same council was tabled at the Legislative Council in January 1964 and put on general sale in English and Chinese. A Working Party, with strong unofficial representation, was appointed to examine the recom- mendations and to make specific proposals for their implementa- tion or adjustment, where necessary, having regard to both the education and financial implications.

PRIMARY EDUCATION

Most primary schools are Chinese with Cantonese as the medium of instruction. In September 1963, a new five-year course of primary education, beginning at the age of seven years, was introduced in government and aided primary schools. This will gradually replace the existing six-year course. English is studied as a second language, beginning in the second year. It is intended that at least one and,