Up to 2,400 extra Form Six places could be available in public secondary schools in the new academic year to cope with demand.
The Subsidised Secondary Schools Council and Grant Schools Council, which represent 22 elite secondary schools, have urged all public-sector secondary schools to enrol three extra Form Six students in each class.
If all the 400 or so schools respond to the bodies' call, it would create 2,400 extra places.
Stephen Hui Chin-yim, chairman of the Subsidised Secondary Schools Council, said the proposal was intended to ease the difficulties faced by secondary school leavers trying to find jobs amid the economic downturn.
There are 24,300 government-subsidised Form Six places available at public-sector schools. But 127,616 candidates sat this year's HKCEE.
Meanwhile, the Kowloon Motor Bus announced that HKCEE repeaters who have made significant improvements this year, and students who score straight As, can apply for its award scheme. Winners will get a KMB travel pass valid for one year.
