ENG-1993 — Page 177

EDUCATION

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Secondary 3 leavers are selected for a subsidised place in Secondary 4 or for a vocational course according to internal school assessments and parental preference. The selection process aims to enable as many students as possible to progress to Secondary 4 within the same school. In 1993, 75 968 students took part in the process of whom 64 491 secured Secondary 4 places in the public sector, and 4 384 were admitted to craft courses.

The Secondary 6 admission procedure aims to match applicants with places until all places are filled. In 1993, all of the 23 190 places available were filled.

To meet provision targets, new secondary schools are built and places are bought from private schools. During the year, nine new secondary schools were completed, providing 10 440 places. Most new schools are built to a new standard design introduced in 1990, which provides more teaching space and better facilities.

There are three main types of secondary school: grammar, technical and prevocational. In 1993, the 403 grammar schools had a total enrolment of 413 319. These offer a five-year secondary course in a broad range of academic, cultural and practical subjects leading to the HKCEE. Most also offer a two-year sixth form course leading to the HKALE.

The 22 technical schools, which prepare students for the HKCEE with an emphasis on technical and commercial subjects, had an enrolment of 21 736. Qualified candidates can continue their studies in the sixth form or in technical institutes.

The 23 prevocational schools, with an enrolment of 20 880, offer an alternative form of -secondary education to students with an aptitude for practical and technical subjects. They provide a solid foundation of general knowledge, and a broad introduction-to technical and practical education upon which future vocational training may be based. The curriculum in Secondary 1 to 3 consists of about 40 per cent technical and practical subjects, and 60 per cent general subjects. The technical and practical content is reduced to about 30 per cent in Secondary 4 and 5. Students completing prevocational Secondary 3 may enter an approved apprenticeship scheme, or continue studying to Secondary 5 and take the HKCEE. Qualified students can then proceed either to the sixth form, or to a polytechnic or technical institute.

To improve the quality and diversity of education, the Direct Subsidy Scheme was introduced in 1991 to strengthen the private secondary school sector. Private secondary schools meeting specified standards can receive a government subsidy for each eligible student. They are free to decide on their own curriculum, and to set entrance requirements and fee levels. One more school was admitted in September, bringing the number of such schools to 11.

As part of the same policy package, the Bought Place Scheme will be phased out. Schools in the scheme are being helped to raise their standards so that they may, if they wish, apply to join the Direct Subsidy Scheme. Nineteen private schools were operating under contracts with the government which specify improvements in areas such as whole-day operation, class structure, teacher qualifications and school facilities. The contracts will expire in 2001, unless terminated earlier by either party or when a school joins the new subsidy scheme.

Secondary education is divided into two levels: junior secondary and senior secondary. At the junior secondary level—the final stage in the common core curriculum for the nine years of universal education — the aim is to provide a balanced basic education suitable for all students in the age group, whether or not they continue formal education beyond