ENG-1982 — Page 106

EDUCATION

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is available to 25 per cent of pupils enrolled in government and aided primary schools. A minority of parents continue to send their children to private primary schools, although places are available for them in the public sector.

In September, the primary school enrolment totalled 538 458 compared with 537 123 the previous year. In addition, 9 054 pupils attended primary-level night schools for adults. During the past year, 30 240 primary places were provided in new and developing schools and more are planned to meet the needs of developing areas, particularly in the new towns in the New Territories.

Primary 6 leavers wanting subsidised junior secondary school places participate in a system of allocation known as the Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA). The system is based on internal school assessments, scaled by a centrally-administered Academic Aptitude Test, and takes into account parental choice of secondary schools.

In July, all the 83 833 Primary 6 pupils participating in the SSPA were allocated Form 1 or Middle 1 places in government and aided schools, private non-profit-making schools in receipt of per capita grants, and private independent schools in the 'bought places' scheme. With effect from September 1983, a system of controlling Primary 1 admission will be introduced. Under the new system, no tests or any form of examination will be permitted in the selection of children for Primary 1 places. Allocation of 35 per cent of the places will be based on parental choice and place of residence, and will be made centrally by the Education Department. A points system will be used by schools for the admission of children to fill the remaining 65 per cent of Primary 1 places. The territory has been divided into 60 school districts with the scheme designed to enable at least 65 per cent of Primary 1 places in each district to be filled by children living in the district. The first stage of the system, including the drawing-up of the school districts and the issue and collection of application forms, commenced in early 1982.

The Student Guidance Scheme launched in September, 1978, continued to expand and was providing school social work service in 934 primary schools at year's end.

Secondary Education

There are four main types of secondary school in Hong Kong: Anglo-Chinese secondary schools, Chinese middle schools, secondary technical schools and prevocational schools. The 346 Anglo-Chinese grammar day schools had enrolments totalling 383 900, compared with 385 543 in 1981. They offer a five-year secondary course in a broad range of academic and cultural subjects leading to the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) with the medium of instruction mainly in English. Students with suitable results in the HKCEE may enter a two-year sixth-form course leading to the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination for admission to the University of Hong Kong. Many also sit for the United Kingdom General Certificate of Education Examination at both ordinary and advanced levels.

In 1982, there were 72 Chinese middle schools accommodating 40 742 pupils, compared with 78 in 1981. Pupils at these schools also take courses leading to the HKCEE. Instruction is mainly in Chinese, with English taught as a second language. A number of Chinese middle schools also offer a one-year Middle 6 course leading to the Hong Kong Higher Level Examination for admission to the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Secondary technical courses were provided for 19 554 students in 21 schools; 10 of these schools are run by the government and 11 are government-aided. Secondary technical schools prepare their students for the HKCEE, but emphasis is placed on technical and commercial subjects. Suitably qualified candidates can continue their studies.