Schools in Hong Kong fall into three main categories: government schools, which are fully operated by the government; aided schools, which are run by non-government organisations with government subsidies; and private schools, some of which are provided with government subsidies.
Kindergartens
Provide education service to children aged from 3 to 5
Run by non-government organisations and private bodies, all on a private basis
Primary Education
Start from the age of 6
Most primary schools are bi-sessional, but more and more primary schools are operated on a whole-day basis, with the government's encouragement
All government and aided primary schools have provided free universal basic primary education
Mostly primary schools are Chinese primary schools using Chinese as the major medium of instruction, complemented by English
Secondary Education
On completion of primary education, students will be allocated free junior secondary school places in government, aided or bought place private secondary schools
3-year free universal junior secondary education (secondary 1 to 3) has been provided in Hong Kong
All secondary schools in Hong Kong provide a 5-year course. On completion of the course, students may sit for the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE)
Secondary school students who have attended the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination may take the 2-year matriculation course followed by the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination for admission to a tertiary institution
Special Education
Special schools are for the visually impaired, the hearing impaired, the physically handicapped, the maladjusted, the mentally handicapped, and children in long-term hospitalisation
Special education classes are for children with amblyopia, partial deafness or learning difficulties
Provide an alternative mode of educational facilities to those junior secondary school students who lack learning drive and those who have learning problems. Moreover, there are practical schools and skills opportunity schools in Hong Kong
Tertiary Education
City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnan University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Institute of Education, The Open University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Hong Kong Shue Yan College, etc.