ENG-1994 — Page 194

EDUCATION

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Secondary 3 leavers from all types of schools are selected for subsidised places in Secondary 4 or on craft courses 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 1994, 78 261 students took part in the exercise, of whom 64 472 (83.4 per cent) secured Secondary 4 places in public sector schools, and 5 004 (6.5 per cent) were admitted to basic craft courses.

Admission to Secondary 6 depends on results in the HKCEE. In 1994, all 23 480 places available were filled.

To meet provision targets, new secondary schools are built and places are bought from private schools. During the year, five new secondary schools, including two prevocational schools, were completed, providing 5 800 places. Most new schools are built to the standard design introduced in 1990. Fifty secondary schools were included in the first phase of the school improvement programme, which will provide more space for non-teaching activities.

In government and aided secondary schools, the staffing ratio is 1.3 teachers per class in Secondary 1 to 5, and two teachers per class in the sixth form. Additional teachers are supplied to strengthen language teaching; provide remedial teaching, careers guidance, counselling, extra-curricular activities and library services; and to enable split-class teaching of cultural, craft and technical subjects, as well as some sixth form subjects. The ratio of graduate to non-graduate teachers is about 7:3. The pupil to teacher ratio is about - 21:1. In these schools, there are two main types of class structure: one with six classes each in Secondary 1 to 3, four classes each in Secondary 4 and 5, and two classes in each sixth form year; and the other with five classes each in Secondary 1 to 5, and two in each sixth form year.

The Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) was introduced in 1991 to strengthen the private secondary school sector and improve the quality and diversity of education. 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 school was admitted into the DSS in September, bringing the number of such schools to 12.

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 DSS. During the year, 19 private schools operated 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 the year 2001, unless terminated earlier by either party, or when a school joins the DSS.

Junior secondary education is the final stage in the common core curriculum for nine years of universal education. The curriculum aims to provide a well-balanced and basic education suitable for all students in the age group, whether or not they continue formal education beyond Secondary 3.

The senior secondary curriculum aims to prepare students for education beyond Secondary 5 as well as for employment, and offers a wide range of subjects from which schools and students select according to the needs and interests of individuals, school traditions and the facilities available. Most students sit for the HKCEE at the end of Secondary 5.