THE standard of Hongkong primary students in the use of Chinese Language has improved, according to the Education Department.
This was revealed by comparing the annual average results from the Hongkong Attainment Test which examined 2,500 samples from each level of Primary 1 to Form 3.
Targeting students' Chinese comprehension and writing ability, the test conducted by the Education Research Section found the language standard of primary students dropped between 1976 to 1981.
However, in 1981, the standard began to improve, but it still did not reach the levels seen at the last Secondary School Entrance Examination in 1977.
The attainment test, which was extended to junior secondary students in 1987, showed results of Form 1 students continually improved, while Form 2 and 3 students remained constant.
Principal Inspector (Chinese and Chinese History), Ms Sin Chow Dick-yee, said there were many reasons for the drop in the Chinese language standard.
With education made compulsory for all, Ms Sin said more people had a chance to study and so it was natural the average standard had dropped.