ENG-1965 — Page 114

EDUCATION

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A braille printing press was donated by the people and government of the United States of America, and will be used initially to produce books in Cantonese braille. The Education Department will be responsible for the production of the books and the press will be operated by the Government Printer. Three experimental classes for slow-learning children were begun in September in government primary schools. A pre-school centre for testing deafness in young children was established later in the year.

SECONDARY EDUCATION

There are four types of secondary schools: Anglo-Chinese grammar schools, Chinese middle schools, secondary technical schools and one secondary modern school.

The 169 Anglo-Chinese grammar schools have 109,123 pupils. They offer a five-year course in the usual academic subjects leading to the Hong Kong English School Certificate Examination. In- struction 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 for entry to the professions, government service and commerce. Successful school certificate candidates may enter the sixth form for two years to prepare themselves for entrance to the University of Hong Kong, or to the Chinese University of Hong Kong. They may also study for the GCE (University of London), at both ordinary and advanced levels. In addition there are 29,028 pupils attending tutorial or evening classes where instruction in secondary level subjects, mainly English language, is offered.

The 107 Chinese middle schools accommodate 45,334 pupils and offer a five-year course in the usual academic subjects leading to the Hong Kong Chinese School Certificate Examination. In- struction is in Chinese and English is taught as a second language. For those who pass the Hong Kong Chinese School Certificate Examination, higher education is available at the teacher training colleges and the Technical College. In addition, a number of Chinese middle schools opened matriculation classes in September to prepare students for entrance to the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Secondary technical schools give a five-year course in English with Chinese taught as a second language. Like the Anglo-Chinese