Many paths to knowledge to be found on lifelong journey

IN TODAY'S knowledge-based economy, education equals power and qualifications are the key to climbing the ladder of success.

But many paths can lead to the same destination and leaving school with less-than-perfect results is no reason to give up the dream of a degree.

At present, 48 per cent of local secondary school leavers have access to tertiary education of some sort - from a vocational qualification to entering university full-time. But the government plans to raise that figure so that by 2011 at least 60 per cent of school leavers will continue their studies to a higher level.

That means fiercer competition in the employment market. Those who lack formal qualifications may be passed over for younger, less experienced but better qualified candidates. Leaving school after Form Five - or even earlier - is no longer an excuse for giving up learning. To remain competitive, education has to be viewed as a lifelong journey.

Government-led initiative Project Yi Jin aims to provide a broad-based education for secondary school leavers and adult learners. At the end of the scheme, students receive a qualification that is generally considered the equivalent of five passes at HKCEE, although it is not broken down subject by subject.

Continuing education schools across Hong Kong offer a host of full- and part-time programmes at all levels. This presents students with a wide variety of step-by-step study routes, progressing towards a degree.