ENG-1964 — Page 103

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EDUCATION

SECONDARY EDUCATION

There are at present four types of secondary schools of which the Anglo-Chinese grammar schools, using English as the language of instruction, have the largest enrolment. Chinese middle schools use Chinese as the medium of instruction and existing secondary modern schools are in process of being absorbed into the secondary technical school system.

The 148 Anglo-Chinese grammar schools have 94,625 pupils. They offer a five-year course in the normal academic subjects leading to the Hong Kong English School Certificate Examination. Instruc- tion is in English and Chinese is taught as a second language. This type of secondary education is in demand because a good knowledge of spoken and written English is desirable, if not essential, for entry to the professions, government service and commerce.

Successful school certificate candidates may go on to the matricula- tion examinations of the University of Hong Kong, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong or the general certificate of education (University of London) at ordinary and advanced levels, after another two sixth form years. In addition there are 26,134 pupils attending tutorial or evening classes where instruction in secondary level subjects, mainly English language, is offered.

The 105 Chinese middle schools accommodate 44,349 pupils and offer a six-year course in the normal academic subjects leading to the Hong Kong Chinese School Certificate Examination. Instruc- tion is in Chinese and English is taught as a second language. The course has been re-organized and most of the schools have embarked on a new course which will enable their students to take the school certificate examination in five years. For those who pass in the Chinese School Certificate Examination higher education is available at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the teacher training colleges, and the Technical College.

Secondary technical schools give a five-year course in English with Chinese taught as a second language. Like the Anglo-Chinese grammar schools, they prepare their pupils for the English School Certificate Examination and successful candidates usually continue their studies at the Technical College. There are six government and four subsidized secondary technical schools with an enrolment of 4,720 pupils. Eighteen private technical schools, with an enrolment