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6.
Measures are now being taken by the Japanese Government to
introduce in 1970 a University of the Air so that more young Japanese can
have the opportunity to seek higher education. As for Hong Kong, it seems
that ever our seedling Education TV Programme will take another year or
two to get off the ground.
7.
Five years ago,
it seemed that Hong Kong was able to indefinitely
remain in second position to that of Japen in the economic ladder in Asia.
This may no longer be the case.
8.
We are faced with serious competition from both Taiwan and South
Korea, either or both of which may surpass Hong Kong industrially within
the next five years.
9.
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Hong Kong is going through a boom period. Land values are shooting
up and factory space is oritically short. But let us look at the situation
a little more closely. Apart from textiles, plastics, electronic products,
wigs and other miscellaneous products, the Hong Kong industrial base is
comparatively narrow when compared to the prosent Japanese industrial economy
or even the potential Taiwan or South Korean industrial base.
10.
If Hong Kong is to keep up its industrial momentum, it is an
absolute necessity that we must as quickly as possible level up our standard
of education, so that our people can acquire a higher rate of productivity
and thus have a larger GNP.
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12.
As a first stage, we must introduce a system of compulsory primary
education in 1970 as soon as the Public Assistance Scheme goes into operation.
The Education Department could make use of the facilities of the
Commissioner of Registration to obtain information on the children of
families who attain primary school age, and follow up on their primary
educational status until they completo primary schooling.
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