What can we learn from history: A review of secondary school place allocation in Hong Kong

The change of secondary school place allocation method in the last 50 years was an interesting history in education. Due to the increase of population in 1949, the Joint Primary 6 Examination was used to select good primary school graduates for secondary school education. It was then modified in 1962 and renamed as the Secondary School Entrance Examination. Due to the introduction of 9 years compulsory education in 1978, a brand new Secondary School Place Allocation method was adopted. The method was found unsatisfactory after 20 years of administration. The professionals proposed a modified method that they themselves rejected 13 years ago. However, the policy makers suggested another method that was proved theoretically wrong and abandoned 7 years ago. It will be interesting to see what will be the final outcome. Copyright © 2001 Educational Research Association.