More fall short in the chase for favored schools

Some 91 percent of primary six students earned a place in their top-three choices of secondary schools for the new school year starting in September, but the satisfaction rate fell three percentage points from last year, the first drop in four years.

Around 50,508 students will receive the results of the Secondary School Places Allocation today - 1,060 students more than last year.

The secondary school place allocation comprises two stages: allocation of discretionary places and central allocation.

Schools can admit students via discretionary place allocation based on academic performance, including religious affiliation and parents' alumni status. Those who do not get any discretionary places can continue to join the computer-based central allocation, where they could choose up to 30 schools within their "school net" based on their residential addresses.

"Based on the total number of students allocated discretionary places and the first three choices through central allocation, the overall satisfaction rate is 91 percent," an Education Bureau spokesman said.

According to the number of students allocated discretionary places and the first choice through central allocation, the satisfaction rate is 80 percent.

Among the students who have been assigned discretionary places, 68 percent were allocated the top choice.

For students who got their places through central allocation, 85 percent were allotted the first three choices, while 66 percent were assigned the first choice. Primary six students are required to collect the allocation and admission slip today.

Students must report to the allocated secondary schools on Thursday or Friday for registration.

Some popular secondary schools, including Wah Yan College in Wan Chai will receive applications for "door-knocking" quotas starting today. Many parents view the quota as the last resort for admission for children who failed to get into their choice of schools.

However, Education Bureau announced last week to reduce the quotas due to the decreasing student population.

Retired vice principal of La Salle College Peter Chiu Wing-tak, believes that despite the reduction in door-knocking quotas there are still a number of places in schools amid the falling enrollments.