MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

The education system will be restructured by stages with the objective of reducing educational wastage, improving teaching and learning, and increasing the supply of trained manpower. The new education system will have the following features:

(1) Primary education will be extended to seven years, with provision for pupils who make good progress to complete it in six years.

(2) The Primary School Leaving Examination will be a grading exercise instead of a pass-or-fail examination. Every pupil who completes primary education will proceed to post-primary education and training of a type best suited to his aptitude and ability.

(3) The secondary curriculum will be diversified to include a variety of vocational training and apprenticeship schemes.

To provide the necessary supporting facilities for the restructured education system, the following measures will be implemented:

(i) A new Education Act will be enacted.

(ii) The building of new schools and junior colleges will be speeded up. Additional workshops and science and language laboratories will be built.

(iii) The Industrial Training Board's capability will be strengthened. It will conduct vocational courses and implement apprenticeship schemes for secondary students.

(iv) Teacher training will take into account the revised staffing needs under the new system. In-service courses will be conducted to familiarise principals and teachers with the philosophy of the new system.

(v) Textbooks and other teaching materials will be produced to meet the requirements of the new system.