Keep Form Six strictly academic

INTRODUCING practical courses in the Hong Kong matriculation curriculum is 'contradictory' to the academic nature of Form Six and Seven studies, said the principal of Po Leung Kuk Vicwood K. T. Chong Sixth Form College.

Speaking at the school's third speech day, Dr Darnay Chan Siu-kui said the incorporation of 'practical, occupational and technical' subjects like Computer Application and Technology and Design reflected growing confusion among local educationists about HKAL and HKCEE studies.

'Some educationists in Hong Kong are very uncomfortable about the way that sixth-form education has become an extension of Form Four and Form Five.

'It makes sense to have practical courses in Form Four and Five, because the students are preparing for both studying in Form Six as well as working immediately after the exam.

'But in matriculation, the main aim is to prepare students to get into university, not to work.' Dr Chan added that of the 120,000 HKCEE candidates, one-third could proceed to matriculation.

The ambiguity in the focus of education is the result of public pressure on the Government to set up pre-vocational and technical colleges in the territory, causing a demand for the introduction of more practical subjects, Dr Chan said.