FOCUSING on technical subjects does not mean having to lose out on language skills, a group of technical school students have proved.
The students won Best Reader awards in a territory-wide English reading scheme .
Form One student Ngun Shu-kin of Aberdeen Technical School said the only difference between grammar and technical school students was their choice of subjects.
Shu-kin, 12, who was named the school's best reader in the Hong Kong Extensive Reading Scheme in English, said: 'We are no different. While they concentrate on arts and science, we focus on subjects like metal work or graphic design.' Amy Lau, 14, of Ho Tung Technical School for Girls said the public unfortunately had a general misconception about the academic ability of technical school students.
'They think we aren't on a level with grammar school students, and that our language skills aren't as good. The fact is that many of my classmates happen to have a very high standard of English,' Amy said.
'Different schools have different approaches and focuses. It's unfair to compare,' added Chan Hoi-ho of Tang Shiu Kin Victoria Technical School.
The reading scheme, launched in 1991 by the Education Department, has attracted 109 secondary schools, four of which are technical schools.