ENG-1996 — Page 183

EDUCATION

Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE); others join full-time craft courses of vocational training and a few leave formal education at this point.

After the HKCEE, students who wish to continue their studies either progress to a two-year sixth form course leading to the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE); to a two- or three-year vocational course leading to a certificate or diploma; or to a three-year course of teacher education. Post-HKALE opportunities include a place on a three-year first degree or diploma course, or on a two-year teacher education programme. Those leaving full-time education at the end of the senior secondary or sixth form courses have opportunities for part-time study or vocational training through to degree level.

Funding of Education

Approved public spending on education in the 1996-97 financial year amounted to $39.82 billion, representing 21 per cent of the government's total recurrent expenditure and eight per cent of capital expenditure. Public funds cover about 90 per cent of the capital cost of an aided primary or secondary school and virtually the full cost of tertiary institution campuses, the entire recurrent cost of providing tuition from Primary 1 to Secondary 3, and about 83 per cent of the recurrent cost from Secondary 4 up to courses at degree level.

Non-profit-making kindergartens are eligible for rent and rates reimbursements, and financial assistance from the government under the Kindergarten Subsidy Scheme introduced in September 1995. Needy parents of kindergarten pupils may apply for fee remission.

Most primary and secondary schools are publicly-funded. The government directly manages some primary and secondary schools, but a great majority of schools in the public sector are operated by non-profit-making voluntary organisations which receive public funds under a code of aid. Tertiary institutions are autonomous statutory bodies. Eight of them, including the Hong Kong Institute of Education, receive public funds through the University Grants Committee. A comprehensive, publicly-funded system of technical education and vocational training is provided by the statutory Vocational Training Council.

Private primary schools receive no public funding, on the grounds that there are sufficient places in the public sector; but some private secondary schools receive public funds under two schemes the Direct Subsidy Scheme and Bought Place Scheme.

The Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) was introduced in 1991 to enhance the quality of private secondary schools and to provide parents with a wider choice. 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. A total of 12 schools have joined the DSS. A review of the scheme, started in 1995 and completed in August 1996, indicates that the objective of the DSS is generally well accepted.

Under the Bought Place Scheme (BPS), a private secondary school, from which the government buys places to make up shortfalls in government and aided school places, is given financial assistance to help raise standards. As part of the DSS policy package, the BPS 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,

135