Secondary One places allocation results to be released tomorrow
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     The Education Bureau today (July 8) reminded parents that the results for Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) 2019 will be announced tomorrow (July 9), and that a new arrangement for early notification of successful discretionary places applicants by schools will be implemented from next year.

     "A total of 52 917 students participated in the SSPA System for this allocation cycle," a spokesman for the bureau 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 87 per cent. Considering the number of students allocated discretionary places and the first choice through central allocation, the satisfaction rate is 74 per cent."
    
     The satisfaction rates for discretionary places and central allocation are:

* Among the students allocated with discretionary places, 64 per cent were allocated the first choice; and

* For students allocated through central allocation (including Part A for Unrestricted School Choices and Part B for Restricted School Choices), 79 per cent of students were allocated the first three choices while 57 per cent were allocated the first choices.

     "At the discretionary places stage, the maximum discretionary places quota is 30 per cent for each secondary school, and students can apply to a maximum of two schools. At the central allocation stage, 10 per cent 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 net. As for Part B Restricted School Choices, students can choose a maximum of 30 schools within their own school net," the spokesman said.

     "We hope parents and students can accept the allocation results with a positive attitude. The learning effectiveness of students does not rest only on the schools to which they are allocated; it hinges more on whether students are prepared to adopt a proactive approach and to learn with a positive spirit. In this connection, it is important for parents to continue to support and encourage their children, 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 to collect the Allocation Slips and Admission Slips.

     The registration period will take place this Thursday and Friday (July 11 and 12). 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 schools 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 students or their parents have genuine difficulties in reporting to the allocated schools in person or through 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. Failure to do so means they have chosen to give up the places allocated.

     If the tropical cyclone or rainstorm warning signal is issued on the day for announcement of the allocation results or on the days for 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, students and parents may call the Education Bureau's School Places Allocation Section on 2832 7740 or 2832 7700 during office hours.
 
     On the new arrangement for early notification of successful discretionary places applicants by schools, the spokesman said, "Starting from the next cycle (i.e. SSPA 2020), participating secondary schools will be required to, after processing applications for discretionary places, notify parents of successful applicants of their children's inclusion in their Successful List for Secondary One Discretionary Places on a date specified by the Education Bureau (i.e. March 31, 2020, for SSPA 2020). There will no longer be a need for the parents concerned to fill in the Choice of Schools Forms at the central allocation stage beginning in April.
 
     "The aforementioned arrangement is an administrative measure, and the existing SSPA mechanism remains unchanged. All participating students will receive the SSPA allocation results (including results in the discretionary places and central allocation stages) in early July as usual.
      
     "The aim of the new notification arrangement is to let parents know the application results of successful discretionary places earlier and have more information for making an informed choice of schools."
      
     The Education Bureau will issue a circular to schools later today to set out the related arrangements, and conduct briefing sessions in late August to explain the implementation details.

Ends/Monday, July 8, 2019
Issued at HKT 15:00

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