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The Education Bureau (EDB) today (July 7) reminded parents that the results for Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) 2008 would be announced tomorrow (July 8).
"A total of 71,846 students participated in the SSPA System for this allocation cycle,"a spokesman for EDB said. "Taking into account the total number of students allocated discretionary places and the first three choices through central allocation, the overall satisfaction rate is 88%, which has risen by about four percentage points as compared with last year's 84%. Considering the number of students allocated discretionary places and the first choices through central allocation, the satisfaction rate is 73%, which is also higher than last year's 68%."
The spokesman believed that the rising satisfaction rate for this allocation cycle could be attributed to the fact that parents were able to make good use of the discretionary place choices and the increased opportunity in selecting suitable schools for their children through central allocation. As a result, the chance for students to be allocated secondary schools of their preference was further enhanced.
The satisfaction rates for discretionary places and central allocation were provided as follows:
* Among the students allocated through discretionary places, 62% were allocated the first choices (which was slightly higher than last yearˇ¦s 61%); and
* For students allocated through central allocation (including Part A for Unrestricted School Choices and Part B for Restricted School Choices), the percentage of students allocated the first three choices was 81% (which was higher than last year's 76%), and the percentage of students allocated the first choices was 60% (which was also higher than last year's 53%).
"At the discretionary places stage, the maximum discretionary places quota is 30% for each secondary school, and students can apply to a maximum of two schools. At the central allocation stage, 10% of the central allocation places are set aside for Unrestricted School Choices in Part A, and students can choose a maximum of three secondary schools from any school nets under this category. As for Part B Restricted School Choices, students can choose a maximum of 30 schools within their own net," the spokesman said.
"While students are provided with discretionary places and central allocation choices in Part A which are unrestricted by school nets, some 85% have chosen schools within their own net as the first choices. This shows most parents wish to send their children to secondary
schools within the vicinity."
"We hope parents and students can accept the allocation results with a positive attitude. The learning effectiveness of students does not rest entirely on the schools they are allocated to; it hinges more on whether students are prepared to do their best and to learn with
a positive spirit. In this connection, it is important for parents to give their children support and encouragement, rather than let their expectations become a burden on their children."
All Primary Six students participating in this year's SSPA System should return to their schools tomorrow (July 8) to collect the Allocation Slips and Admission Slips.
The registration period will take place on Thursday and Friday (July 10 and 11). Students must report to the secondary schools allocated during the registration period. In case the students and their parents or guardians are not able to register with the allocated school during the registration period, they should authorise in writing a representative to complete the registration procedure on their behalf. Failure to do so means they have chosen to give up the places allocated. A standard authorisation letter can be obtained from their primary schools.
If parents or students have genuine difficulties in reporting to the allocated schools in person or by an authorised representative during the registration period, they should inform their allocated schools or the School Places Allocation Section of the Education Bureau before the end of the registration period so that alternative arrangements for registration can be made.
If the tropical cyclone or rainstorm warning signal is issued on the days for primary schools' collection of and announcement of allocation results and on the days for S1 registration, all school heads and parents should pay attention to announcements on the radio or television for special arrangements.
For enquiries about the allocation results, please call the Education Bureau's School Places Allocation Section on 2832 7740 or 2832 7700 during office hours.
Ends/Monday, July 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:25
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