ENG-1967 — Page 135

EDUCATION

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schools. It is conducted by the Education Department and an examination committee is appointed to advise 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 from participating schools, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Education Department. The University of Hong Kong, the University of London and some overseas universities now recognize the pass with credit (grade C and above) in individual subjects as equivalent to ordinary level passes in the London General Certificate of Education examinations. This year this ex- amination was considerably affected by the local disturbances. Students in one large school not taking part in the examination had to be given a holiday so that the candidates from four examination centres located near one of the main Kowloon trouble spots could be examined under more peaceful conditions. Some papers had to be postponed for several days, and a number of examinations were delayed by an hour or so.

The Hong Kong Chinese School Certificate examination is also conducted by a syndicate. It is similar to the English School Cer- tificate examination, but is conducted entirely in Chinese.

The University of Hong Kong conducts its own advanced level matriculation examination, the standard of which is similar to that of the GCE advanced level examination. Entry to the university is generally dependent upon successful results in this examination. In May, 2,235 candidates entered for the examination, of whom 1,311 fulfilled minimum requirements for entry.

The matriculation examination of the Chinese University of Hong Kong is designed to select candidates of approved standard for admission to first-year courses in any one of its constituent colleges. Passes in at least five subjects, including Chinese and English, are normally required for entry to the university besides additional requirements for entry to various undergraduate courses.

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