Slump may lead to 1,000 more Form Five places
An extra 1,000 Form Five evening school places could be offered to meet an expected huge demand amid the economic slump, a senior education officer said yesterday.
Assistant Director of Education Chong Kwok-kit said officials would monitor the number of applications to the 12 government evening school centres and increase places when necessary.
The rush for Form Five places was expected to start today with students required to submit application forms between 6.45pm and 8.45pm.
'We expect more applicants this year because many students who have failed to find Form Six places will choose not to enter the working world because of the economic downturn,' he said.
Thousands of students like Antice Au Wan-sze have yet to find a Form Five or Form Six place.
Antice, 17, said no school was willing to accept her, even to repeat Form Five, regardless of her good results.
'I have tried more than 20 schools. I was exhausted rushing from school to school and taking endless interviews. But I have had no luck,' she said.
'The Government should open more places, especially when the economy is poor now.'
