ENG-1964 — Page 102

EDUCATION

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as soon as practicable, two years of secondary education should be made available after the five-year primary course in order that pupils may continue their schooling up to the age of 14, which is the statutory minimum age for industrial employment. This new system is optional for private schools.

During the transitional period, on completion of the six-year primary course, those pupils who are unable to gain admission to a full secondary course by the Secondary School Entrance Examina- tion, are offered a seventh year of education in Special Form I classes in government and aided schools, provided they are under 14

years of age.

Five government primary schools cater for children whose nor- mal language is English.

The total primary day school enrolment in September was 548,195, which is 95 per cent of the estimated number of children in the age group of 6-11 years inclusive, and 115.7 per cent of the age group 7-11 years inclusive. In addition, 48,776 pupils were attending pri- mary night schools and special afternoon classes.

It would appear, therefore, that a place in a government, aided or private primary school has been provided for every child of primary age. However, many of the enrolled primary school children are either over-age, or remain in school for a longer period than that prescribed for the primary school course. It is still possible for a child of primary school age to experience considerable difficulty in finding a school place and further expansion is necessary.

During the year 53 primary school buildings and extensions were built, providing 33,930 additional places.

There are no government kindergarten schools, but there is an increasing demand for this type of education for children aged from four to seven. Kindergarten schools are registered with the Education Department and the enrolment increased from 37,711 to 39,642 in September 1964.

Eighteen special schools cater for the blind, the deaf and the physically handicapped. The special education section of the inspec- torate provides training courses for teachers in these fields, and works in co-operation with voluntary bodies and other government departments in developing services and facilities for handicapped children. A pre-school testing centre for young deaf children is planned.