CYPHER/CAT A
ICRITY GOVERNOR HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 820
RESTRICTED 05/0433Z
RESTRICTED
TO F.C.O. LONDON
5 DECEMBER 1979
ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, LONDON TELEGRAM
NUMBER 822 OF 5 DECEMBER 1973.
YOUR TELEGRAM 781 : PRIMARY EDUCATION.
39)
DETAILED PROPOSALS FOR INTRODUCING LEGISLATION DEALING WITH
PARENTS WHO APPEAR TO BE UNNECESSARILY WITHOLDING CHILDREN FROM
PRIMARY SCHOOL ARE NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION. THE PROPOSALS ARE
THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE AN ORDER
ON THE PARENTS REQUIRING THEM TO SECURE THE ATTENDANCE OF THEIR
CHILD AT A DESIGNATED PRIMARY SCHOOL.
2. WHERE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IS SATISFIED THAT THERE IS A
FREE PLACE IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL CLOSE TO THE CHILD'S HOME, HE WOULD
CONSIDER WHETHER ACCOUNT OF SOME REASON PERSONAL TO THE CHILD OR
RELATED TO THE FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES THE CHILD WOULD NOE BENEFIT
FROM AN CRDER BEING MADE. THE PARENTS WOULD HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS. WHERE AN ORDER WAS MADE NON-COMPLIANCE WOULD BE AN
OFFENCE. THERE WOULD HOWEVER BE A RIGHT OF APPEAL AGAINST THE MAKING OF THE ORDER: AND ORDERS COULD BE REVIEWED AT THE REQUEST
CF THE PARENTS OR ON THE INIATIVE OF THE DIRECTOR.
3. WHERE A CHILD IS BEING WITHELD FROM SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE FAMILY'S. FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, I HAVE IN MIND THAT CASH GRANTS UNDER THE NEW PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, COUPLED WITH THE ABOLITION OF FEES IN THE GENERALITY OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS, WILL ALLEVIATE THE HARDSHIP TO AN EXTENT SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO REACH A
DECISION ON EDUCATIONAL GROUNDS.
SIR H. NORMAN-WALKER
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
HONG KONG D
C
ник 911
COPIES TO:
U.N.D. (4)
LASY. PAPER
RESTRICTED
J