The Heads of Universities Committee invited post-secondary school principals to nominate students who excelled in non-academic areas such as music, sports and community service.

     This year, among the 734 students recommended, 184 successfully enrolled as tertiary students under the system.

     "This is all-rounded education," said Miss Ada Chan, senior assistant academic secretary of the Polytechnic University.

     Three quotas are given to each secondary school.

     "It is to ensure that the volume is manageable by the institutions," Miss Chan said.

     There are some criteria for principals in choosing the students.

     Being one of the pioneers who benefited from the system, Tin Lam, the former Jockey Club Ti-I College student, expressed his view on the new admission system.

     "The concept is motivating," said he.

     On the other hand, Polly Li, failed to gain entry to the nursing course at CUHK.

     Said Polly: "The idea of the scheme is a correct view of education. Education is not just studying. It should be a balanced development of both knowledge in books and talents in other areas."

     Various parties have convergent opinions on the system.

     Chairman of Hok Yau Club, Ng Tak Kay said: "The spirit behind is undeniably on the right path."

     Nevertheless, comments on this year's measure vary.

     Said Mr. Ng: "Although the idea is a breakthrough, it was implemented in a hurry. Secondary school principals received the letters in late May. Most Form 7 students have already left school."

     "Also, the way of assessment is not very clear. It is not an easy task for principals in choosing the nominees," he added.

     Polly pointed out that the scheme is in fact unfair to private candidates.

     "Although some private candidates do well in non-academic areas, they have no chances to be recommended," she said.

     The quota of three students per school is also under attack.

     "It's almost impossible for schools to be completely fair. Subjective preferences cannot be eliminated when more than three students are worth nominating," said he.

     "Besides, the quota is too inflexible. Some schools didn't hand in any recommendations but some schools have more than three students worth-nominating.

     Polly suggested that recommendation letters can be written by some community service organisations to make the system fairer to private candidates.

     Mr. Ng, believes that school-based criteria on the whole is the best solution in the short run.

     "Teachers and schools understand their students best. Therefore, the existing method of recommendation is the most plausible one, at least in the short term," said he.

     In the long run, Mr. Ng favours continuous assessment, consisting of both schoolwork, public examinations and non-academic achievements.

     "This has long been the target and ideal for a true educational assessment. But detailed discussions take time," said he.