New school streams plan has promise - but big risks too

Educationists are understandably cautious about an ambitious government plan to restructure the school system by splitting pupils into three streams - academic, ''technical occupational'' and ''technical vocational'' - according to their strengths. The new system, which would be piloted next year, is aimed at reducing the shockingly high dropout rate, easing pressure on universities and meeting the demands of an economy desperately short of skilled artisans.