ENG-1993 — Page 175

EDUCATION

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Other Scholarships and Assistance Schemes

In addition to the above, there are other scholarships and assistance schemes for school students, endowed by private benefactors. A large number of scholarships are administered by the Education Department under the Education Scholarships Fund Ordinance.

Schools and Kindergartens

Kindergartens

In September, 187 549 children aged three to five years were enrolled in 730 kindergartens, all of which were privately operated. Kindergartens run on a non-profit-making basis are eligible for rent and rates reimbursements, and may be allocated premises in public housing estates. Most kindergartens operate two half-day sessions, but the number of whole-day places is increasing.

The Education Department gives professional advice to kindergarten managers, teachers, parents and the public. It produces curriculum development materials and runs basic training courses, seminars, workshops and exhibitions to help heads and teachers develop their professional skills. It also publishes guidelines to help teachers organise the curriculum and learning activities.

Primary Schools

- Primary schooling, beginning at the age of six and lasting six years, has been provided free of tuition fees in all government schools and in nearly all aided schools since 1971. Although enough places are available in the public sector, about 10 per cent of parents prefer to send their children to private primary schools. Admission to Primary 1 in the public sector is processed through a central allocation system, administered by the department. This has helped to eliminate pressure on children caused by intense competition for entry to popular schools.

Most primary schools operate bi-sessionally. The normal class size in public sector schools is 40. Where classes use the activity approach (a less formal and more pupil- oriented approach to teaching now adopted by 266 schools), the class size is 35. In September, the size of public sector Primary 1 classes was reduced by five places, and this reduction in class size will be extended to higher levels a year at a time.

In September, 485 061 children were enrolled in primary schools. A total of six new school buildings were completed during the year to provide for the growing population in the new towns.

A standard primary school consists of 24 classrooms and three special rooms. A new design was introduced in 1990 to provide more accommodation, needed as a result of changes in education policy. It provides 30 classrooms, four special rooms and three remedial teaching rooms accommodating 60 classes in two half-day sessions or 30 classes in a whole-day school. These premises can be converted into a secondary school, if necessary, by adding a special room block.

Whole-day schooling for all primary students is a long-term goal. In the meantime, any primary school wishing to convert to whole-day operation is allowed to do so if this will not adversely affect the supply of places in the district. New primary schools operate as whole-day schools wherever possible. During the year, 32 half-day primary schools converted to whole-day operation.