ENG-1978 — Page 97

EDUCATION

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Prevocational schools, all of which are fully subsidised by the government, provide a three-year secondary course made up of about 50 per cent general education and 50 per cent technical education. The curriculum usually covers three major fields of in- dustrial or commercial activity, designed to introduce pupils to as wide a field of employment as possible. Technical areas covered include mechanical and electrical engineering, printing, textiles and clothing, commerce, retailing and merchandising, hotel work and catering, and home economics. Excessive specialisation is not en- couraged at this level. Instead, the aim is to introduce basic knowledge and skills, and to help pupils choose a suitable career.

Prevocational schools also provide an introduction to craft apprenticeship. Con- siderable efforts are made to ensure that prevocational school-leavers have the op- portunity to enrol in recognised apprenticeship training schemes and to continue their studies in technical institutes. This form of technical training is fully supported by the Hong Kong Training Council and is becoming more accepted by industry.

With the opening of Bishop Hall Memorial Prevocational School in September, 1978, the total number of prevocational schools has increased to 11, with a total pupil capacity of 8,800 places. A further 11 schools of this type are planned.

The five aided secondary modern schools that had previously provided a junior secondary course were expanded to enable them to offer senior secondary courses as well, from September, 1978. There are also 20 private and aided secondary schools, with a total enrolment of 9,533, offering some form of technical and trade training that does not lead to the Certificate of Education examination.

There are two secondary schools for English-speaking children in the public sector one operated by the government and the other by the English Schools Foundation. A second school to be operated by the foundation is planned to be built and completed by 1981 on the south side of Hong Kong island. A nucleus of classes that will form this new school is already operating in temporary accommodation. There are also various private schools mainly catering for children from overseas.

There has been a steady increase in the number of pupils enrolled in all types of day-time secondary schools. In September, 1978, there were 462,210 such pupils, compared with 420,635 in 1977. A further 67,502 pupils attended tutorial or evening classes, where instruction is offered in secondary-level subjects, the most popular of which is English. During the 1977-8 school year, 25,536 new secondary places were provided in new school buildings.

From September, 1978, tuition fees were abolished in junior secondary forms Form/Middle 1 to 3 of government and aided schools, and in private secondary schools with bought places.

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Technical Institutes Four technical institutes are run by the Education Department. They provide courses at craft and technician levels on a full-time, part-time day-release, block-release and evening basis. The main areas covered are construction, electrical engineering, marine and fabrication, mechanical engineering, textiles and clothing, commercial studies, hotel-keeping and tourism, as well as general studies. Short courses are also offered to meet the specialised requirements of industry and commerce. The institutes maintain close links with commerce and industry, the Hong Kong Training Council, the Hong