0003162 G.F. 316
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The Objective
1.
SECRET
COMMUNIST SCHOOLS
SAPL
N3.723.
9-8-67-
با
TRY
APPENDIX A
Communist schools have existed in Hong Kong since "soon after the War and by 1949 when the C.P.G. took over power in China, 57 "controlled" schools existed. By 1953, the number of controlled schools had dropped to 34 due to the introduction in 1952 of a new Education Ordinance which was designed, in part, to counter the growth of political influences in schools through a more rigid · registration and inspection system. At first it was thought that for some schools a measure of control might be achieved if a Government subsidy was paid. An annual recurrent subsidy was paid to Nairn Road and the associated group of schools but was withdrawn in December 1958 when the Director was satisfied that. the schools were being managed inefficiently and that they had become centres ! for political indoctrination. In August, 1958 the headmaster of Pui Kiu School was de-registered under what is now Section 44 of the Education Ordinance and deported for political activities. In 1958 the Ordinance was again strengthened and after this date until the cultural revolution, communist schools in common with other spheres of communist activities settled down to a comparatively peaceful existence although there were some incidents where direct 'confrontation was avoided by Government. These schools have provided some education and political indoctrination had not gone beyond bounds allowed in a peaceful and tolerant society.
2.
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Since the cultural revolution and more particularly during 1967, the political indoctrination has been greatly intensified until now the major work of the schools is to breed rebellion and hatred of the authorities. Much of this involves overt activities which the most casual inspection would show to be no part of normal education. These overt activities include using school premises for producing leaflets, banners, weapons etc., for public indoctrination meetings outside school hours for adults and non-school members and, during school hours, for indoctrination of pupils.
the greatest value to just these activities.
Clearly the communists now attach
3.
It is necessary to form an objective in considering what action should now be taken against these schools. The objective proposed is the elimination of overt objectionable practices which include chanting inflammatory slogans, holding classes or meetings devoted to working up hatred of the authorities, the use of books written to the same end. Some political bias will remain, as nothing can stop teachers colouring their lessons with political allusions or putting over political views.
4.
As a first step it must be possible to define the objective in terms which would clearly eliminate many of the most objectionable activities of these schools and at the same time take steps to ensure that they become schools again in an educational sense. Such a definition if taken seriously by the schools, will need adaption and amplification as time goes on but some simple and all embracing aim must be set down at the outset. This must convey the aim of eliminating unreasonable activities of political indoctrination and yet be wide enough to be capable of bearing considerable filling out in detail in due course. The aim should be set down in terms which can be published. Suggested objectives are listed below.
SECRET