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0003160 G.F. 316
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5. From a study of these latest figures the Steering Committee concludes that the communists have not yet filled all the additional school places which they provided or made plans to provido during their 1968 expansion. Certainly there are fewer signs now of plans for new Communist schools to open in September, 1969 than there were this time last year for schools to open in September 1968. In mid-June 1969, there were 11 such projects; at the present time there are only four. It is of course possible for extensions to be opened in rented adapted promises at short notice, but the present indications are that there will be only a modest increase in communist school enrolments in September this year.
School Foe Levels in Relation to Communist School · Development.
6. Mr. Moreton of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has asked if he could be told whether the reductions in Government and Aided primary school fees have had any effect on enrolment in communist schools, and whether the sponsors of the latter follow suit.
7. The Stooring Committoo has considered this matter and is able to report that there is no record of any communist-controlled school having reduced or applied to reduce its school fees since September 1968, when the last reduction in Government and Aided school fees came into force. The Steering Committee doubts whother there has so far been any reduction in enrolment in communist-controlled primary schools as a direct result of the reduction in primary school fees in Governmont and subsidised schools in September, 1968.
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However, a further substantial reduction in Government and subsidised primary school fees will come into force this September, and the Steering Committee will examino enrolment figures when they become availablo in October and reassess the position.
Teachers in Communist-Controlled Schools Still Holding Valid Permits to Teach and Imprisoned for Criminal Offences During the 1967 Disturbances.
9. At its meeting on 18th June, 1969, the Steering Committee was informed that 8 such teachers appeared to be in this category. Details are given at Appendix C attached to this report.
10. Of the 8 teachers, action has been taken in the case of SO Chau-mu on 29th May, 1969, to cancel his permit to teach under Section 31(1) of the Education Ordinanco on the grounds that he appears to have been convicted of a criminal offence, A letter, which amounts to an appeal, has been received from the Supervisor of the Chung Sang Middle Night School addressed to the Director of Education concerning tho notico cancelling SO's pormit to toach in that school. On logal advico, tho Director of Education has forwarded this lottor to the Secretary of the Appeals Board, who is an officer of the Social Sorvicos Branch of the Secretariat. Action to arrango a hoaring by the Appeals Board is being doforrod for the time being as thoro is a chanco that the Supervisor will withdraw his lottor of appoal.
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The Stoering Committee recommends, in line with the policy of harassment that although some of the teachers listed at Appendix C wore released from prison some time ago, they should all be dealt with in the same way as SO Chau-mu and have their permits to teach cancelled, provided that satisfactory proof of conviction is available to the Director of Education to answer any appeal which they might make to the Appeals Board,
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