G. C. E. (A-Level) Examinations at secondary schools for working people in 1963

The G. C. E. examinations (Advanced Level) at the Secondary Schools for Working People (set up in 1959) were held for the third time in 1963. The authors of this article, followed the results of a two-year course at 16 schools with 21 classes. They focused their attention on the two-year course of studies, which is for those who have completed a three-year course at Apprentice Training Centres or Trade Schools, because this type is to be considerably extended within the next few years, but it presents far more problems than classes with a three-year course, because of the fact that the pupils from Apprentice Training Centres and Trade Schools are not adequately prepared, for taking a course of study at the Secondary School for Working People. In the classes whose work and results the authors followed the G. C. E. (A-level) was taken by 365 pupils out of 630, who had enrolled for the course, i. e. 57.9 per cent. There are great differences among various schools — the number of those taking the G. C. E. examination ranges from 24.3 per cent up to 92.9 per cent. The greatest drop-out is during the first six months of the course. Most of the pupils achieve average results, only very few pupils achieve excellent results. Their standard of knowledge in mathematics and physics can be compared with that of average General Secondary School-leavers, but at some schools the pupils had serious gaps in their knowledge of mathematics. The optional subject chosen by most pupils for the G. C. E. examination was physics or technical subjects — examinations in these subjects came off fairly well on the whole. Some schools have gained very good experience with teaching technical subjects and they appreciate their importance for raising the qualification of young workers. 28.8 per cent of those who passed the G. C. E. (A-level) examination were admitted to Universities and Technical Colleges, mostly to Engineering and Electrotechnical Faculties. Most of those who were not interested to study at a University or Technical College, were earmarked for a special higher course of study at Secondary Technical Schools later on. The G. C. E. (A-level) examinations have shown that the Secondary Scholl for Working People is able to cope with the tasks set before it.