Overview

The Government's policy objectives are to:

	provide nine years' free and universal primary and junior secondary education to all children attending public sector schools.  Starting from the 2008/09 school year, senior secondary education is provided free through public sector schools.  In addition, with effect from the 2008/09 school year, the Government provides full subvention for full-time courses run by the Vocational Training Council for Secondary 3 leavers to offer an alternative free avenue for senior secondary students outside mainstream education;
	provide a balanced and diverse school education that meet the different need of our students; and help them build up knowledge, values and skills for further studies and personal growth;
	enhance students' biliterate and trilingual abilities;
	enhance teaching quality and effectiveness in learning;
	improve the learning and teaching environment;
	help newly arrived children from the Mainland integrate into the local school system as soon as possible; and
	enhance the quality, flexibility and accountability of school administration.

In the 2009/10 school year, there are 582 primary schools, 523 secondary day schools and 61 special schools.