BRIEF NO. 5
VISIT OF MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTHI AFTAINS
TO NONG KONG
OCTOBER 1967.
Technical Education
1
Hong Kong hası-
(a) A Tochnical College, with a total enrolment of ovor
13,000 students (mainly evening students), with
courses leading to the College's own certificates and diplomas, to City and Guilds qualifications and to
associate membership of many British professional
institutions.
(b) 9 Secondary Technical Schools, with a total enrolment
of about 6,000.
2. This is a neglected field, having regard to the naturo of the Hong Kong economy. lir. Horries has suggested to the Ministor that further
developmont is nooded in the direction of polytechnic institutions. As Chairman of the University Grants Committee, he has recently put proposals
on those linos to the Hong Kong Government and those are being considered.
3. Education already takes about 18% of the Colony's annual budget.
There is much to do to achieve the target in primary education of places
at moderato or assisted fees for all who wish to attend Government or
aided Schools. Thus there is a sovero problem of priorities in expanding
educational facilitios. The Hong Kong Government will not dispute that hich priority nooda to bo given to technical education; but it may woll question whothor, in this field, the nood is for polytechnics rather than
increased facilities on tho Technical College level.
4.
We are looking into the availability of C.D. & W. funds over the next
few years for this purpose. It is too early to say what the prospects
are of obtaining an allocation for Hong Kong,
Hong Kong Department,
October, 1967.