ENG-1987 — Page 135

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EDUCATION

351 Anglo-Chinese grammar schools with enrolments totalling 372 152 compared with 339 and 372 422 in 1986. These schools 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), the medium of instruction being 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 and other tertiary level courses. Many students also sit for the United Kingdom General Certificate of Education Examination (GCE) at both ordinary and advanced levels. Some Anglo-Chinese schools also offer a one-year sixth-form course to prepare their students for the Hong Kong Higher Level Examination with a view to admission to the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

In 1987, there were 60 Chinese middle schools accommodating 34 640 pupils, compared with 58 and 35 585 respectively in 1986. Students attending these schools also take courses leading to the HKCEE. Instruction is mainly in Chinese with English taught as a second language. Most Chinese middle schools also offer a one-year Middle 6 course leading to the Hong Kong Higher Level Examination.

Of these two types of schools, 83 were private Anglo-Chinese schools and 24 were private Chinese middle schools. In September 1987, the government bought a total of 57 916 Form I to III places from 60 such schools through the 'Bought Place Scheme'.

Secondary technical courses are provided for 22 237 students in 22 schools. Ten of these schools are run by the government, 11 are government-aided and one is private. 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 in technical institutes, the Hong Kong Polytechnic, the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong 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. The curriculum in Secondary 1 to 3 is made up of about 40 per cent technical subjects and about 60 per cent general subjects. The technical content is reduced to about 30 per cent in Secondary 4 and 5. After completion of Secondary 3, students may 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 at school. In addition, direct entry into the second year of an approved craft apprenticeship may be permitted.

At present, there are 18 prevocational schools providing 14 440 places. A further 10 schools of this type are included in the Secondary School Building Programme.

The Junior Secondary Education Assessment (JSEA) System, which selects and allocates Secondary 3 leavers to Secondary 4 places in the public sector, completed its seventh cycle in July. Of the 76 072 students presented for assessment, 57 857 or 76.1 per cent were allocated aided places in Secondary 4 or full-time craft courses. Of those who were allocated Secondary 4 places, over 86.8 per cent obtained places in their own schools. The review of the JSEA System, which began in March 1985, was finalised early in 1987. Starting from September 1987, an enhanced JSEA System has been introduced which does not require participants to attend a public scaling test.

In accordance with the government's objectives for the promotion of practical/technical education for junior secondary students, as stated in the 1978 White Paper on the Development of Senior Secondary and Tertiary Education, the Practical Education Centre commenced operation in September 1986. This centre, operated and maintained by the

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