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The Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, today (August 7) encouraged Secondary 5 graduates to strive to map out their future, having regard to their interests and abilities.
Mr Suen today visited a service centre of an NGO (non-governmental organisation) in Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom, on the eve of the release of results of the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE).
He went to the centre to see professional social workers and trained volunteers geared up to offering counselling services for candidates on further studies and employment.
He expressed his gratitude to the social workers and volunteers for their time and effort in offering assistance to young school leavers during this important moment in their lives.
Mr Suen shared his experiences with a group of Secondary 5 students at the centre. He said: "I know how candidates feel since we as adults often have to take exams in one form or another and are faced with the challenges of making important decisions."
"HKCEE is but one of the many hurdles in our lives for which there is certainly more than one way leading to success and fulfilment."
Mr Suen told the students that HKCEE candidates were now blessed with ample choices of further studies.
"In addition to studying in Secondary 6, you are also able to choose from a wide variety of options including pre-Sub-degree courses as well as numerous programmes offered by the Vocational Training Council and other training institutions," he said.
He said that the younger generation, by choosing a suitable path taking into account their interests and abilities, would be able to make it to the top in this vibrant city of boundless opportunities.
"I hope our young people will make the most of the opportunities open to them and work hard to realise their dream," Mr Suen said.
He also called on graduates to make good use of services provided by the Education Bureau and the NGO.
The bureau's wide array of support services for students included the "Careers Guidance Handbook for Secondary 5 Graduates 2007-2008" jointly published with the HK Careers Masters and Guidance Masters Association. The handbook has been distributed to S5 students and uploaded onto the bureau¡¦s webpage (http://www.edb.gov.hk). Detailed information about the Secondary 6 Admission Procedure 2007 is also available from the bureau's homepage. Candidates can call the hotline on 3112 3334.
Choices for further studies abound for the 80,000 school candidates for HKCEE 2007. These include Secondary 6 places and those offered by the Vocational Training Council and other institutions - a combined total of almost 86,000.
Ends/Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:24
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