Fourteen schools will join the Yi Jin-Secondary Schools Collaboration Project in the 2006-07 school year, the Education & Manpower Bureau says.

The project provides an additional pathway to traditional Secondary 5 students to develop their intelligence and potential. With an emphasis on practical skills training and being geared to students in favour of a practical curriculum, Yi Jin caters for different aptitudes and learning needs.

The Federation for Continuing Education in Tertiary Institutions together with participating secondary schools will provide the Yi Jin curriculum for students who have completed Secondary 4, or who are aged below 21 and have never sat for the Certificate of Education Examination.

The programme comprises seven core modules: Chinese, English I and II, mathematics, IT application, Putonghua, and communication skills; and three career-oriented electives, like tourism, elementary logistics management, and Chinese and Western cookery.

Three modules will be taught in tertiary institutions while the rest will be in secondary schools. Students who complete the programme will be awarded a certificate, which has been assessed as comparable to five passes in education exam.

Participating schools

Students interested in applying can contact:

* Buddhist Chi Hong Chi Lam Memorial College (2664 0833);

* Buddhist Hui Yuan College (2658 1833);

* Caritas Chai Wan Marden Foundation Secondary School (2558 4133);

* Caritas Shatin Marden Foundation Secondary School (2697 6222);

* Caritas St Joseph Secondary School (2433 1282);

* Caritas Tuen Mun Marden Foundation Secondary School (2461 0304);

* CCC Kung Lee College (2577 5778);

* CMA Choi Cheung Kok Secondary School (2458 0936);

* HKWMA Chu Shek Lun Secondary School (2796 8323);

* Holy Carpenter Secondary School (2364 2730);

* Pak Kau College (2448 2122);

* SDB Ng Siu Mui Secondary School (2425 8223);

* TWGH Kwok Yat Wai College (2447 1258); and,

* Yan Chai Hospital Tung Chi Ying Memorial Secondary School (2640 9822).