ENG-1983 — Page 110

EDUCATION

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Primary 6 leavers wanting subsidised junior secondary school places participate in the Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA). This 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 83 638 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.

The Student Guidance Scheme provided a school social work service to 932 primary schools at a manning ratio of officers to pupils of 1:3 000 in urban areas and 1:2 000 in rural areas.

Secondary Education

There are four main types of secondary school in Hong Kong: Anglo-Chinese schools, Chinese middle schools, technical schools and prevocational schools. The Anglo-Chinese day schools had enrolments totalling 380 203, compared with 383 900 in 1982. 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 instruc- tion mainly English. Students with satisfactory 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 1983, there were 68 Chinese middle schools accommodating 38 671 pupils, compared with 40 742 in 1982. 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 19 277 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, with emphasis on technical and commercial subjects. Suitably qualified candidates can continue their studies in Form 6 or at technical institutes, the Hong Kong Polytechnic, or the Hong Kong Technical Teachers' College.

Prevocational schools are government-aided secondary schools which provide students with a general education and an introduction to a wide range of technical skills upon which future vocational training may be based. Since 1981, senior secondary places have been made available to about one-third of the more academically-capable Form 3 leavers to enable them to continue their education up to the Certificate of Education level. The curriculum content of prevocational schools is made up of about 50 per cent technical education and about 50 per cent general education for Forms 1 to 3. The technical content is reduced to about 30

per cent in Forms 4 and 5. It is envisaged that after completion of Form 3, a high proportion of prevocational students will enter approved craft apprenticeship schemes with associated part-time day-release courses at technical institutes. Credit units are given by the institutes for technical subjects which have been studied in depth. In addition, direct entry into the second year of an approved craft apprenticeship may be given. This form of technical training is fully supported by the Vocational Training Council and welcomed by industry. At present there are 12 prevocational schools providing 10 520 places. A further 12 schools of this type have been included in the School Building Programme and are expected to be completed in 1985.

The Junior Secondary Education Assessment (JSEA) System is designed to select and allocate Form 3 leavers to Form 4 places in the public sector. A total of 421 schools was