For some parents it was tears of joy (note 1) - for others, sadness - after it was revealed just over half the 56,000 Primary Six students had been allocated (分派) secondary schools of their first choice - the lowest level in five years.
Parents of those who missed out (note 2) blamed the Education Bureau's class- cutting scheme (減班計畫) that forced schools with five Secondary One classes to drop one class. A total of 56,490 students joined in the Secondary School Places Allocation System this year, with 84 percent getting one of their first three choices - five percentage points (百分點) lower than last year.
Only 52 percent were allocated their first choices, nine points lower than in 2010, and the lowest in five years. Students must report to (note 3) their allocated schools tomorrow or Friday, failing which it will be assumed they are giving up (放棄, note 4) their spots (位置). Some parents took their children to elite (名校) or direct subsidy (直資) schools where places were still available yesterday.
Government secondary school King's College said it received several walk-in (沒有預約的) applicants by noon. At Tai Kok Tsui's Fresh Fish Traders' School, basketball player Chan Fei-yeung said the elite Diocesan Boys' School had invited him for a written test and was willing to grant (給予) him a scholarship for outstanding sports performance. But Chan said he prefers to study in his allocated school, ELCHK Lutheran Secondary School, which was his first choice (第一選擇).
From good to better English:
(note 1) tears of joy=快樂的眼淚。tears of sadness=傷心的眼淚。in tears=流著淚。move Ivy to tears=使Ivy感動得流淚 。tear (動詞)= 撕開，撕裂。The Hong Kong Police tear down posters calling for Stephen Lam’s resignation=警察把要求Stephen Lam下台的招貼畫 扯下。Tear a leaf from a calendar=從日曆牌上撕下一頁。Ivan was torn between two choices=Ivan難做取捨。
(note 2) miss out=沒拿到。miss an opportunity=失去機會。Yesterday Gandolf missed the train to Shatin= Gandolf昨天沒趕上往沙田的火車。I shall miss you very much, Jo Jo tells Bo Bo=Jo Jo 告訴 Bo Bo: 你不在我就寂寞了。miss one's step=失腳。It's hit or miss=孤注一擲。
(note 3) report to=報到。It is reported that Victor will run for the chief executive’s job next year=據說Victor會競選明年的特首選舉。report for duty=到上班的地方報到。have a good report=成績好
(note 4) give up=放棄。Mo Mo was given the title of professor=Mo Mo被授予教授稱號。Give an account of=說明。Ming Ming gives her life to study= Ming Ming為學問而獻身。
Victor’s View: Life isn’t always plain sailing. Primary 6 children are learning this the hard way, with half of them being unable to go to the high school of their choice. Well, it doesn’t mean that their fates are sealed. With hard work and persistence, many students in second-class high schools do eventually outshine those who study in top schools.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 3 books on English-enhancement and plans to write 7 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
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