Mr. Gaminara
Mr.
Kinnear
CONFIDENTIAL
Reference......
Original at: HKK 1/23
This Copy for: HICK 9/1 Information only/Action on
Para(s)
R
En
2
I ran over with you briefly the points that came up during the meeting Mr. Royle had this morning with Sir L. Monson, Mr. Wilford and myself.
2.
We should, however, have something on record and I am, therefore, putting the outcome of the meeting down on paper.
Primary Education
3. We know that it is the aim of the Hong Kong Government to provide free primary education, probably towards the end of this year or early next. There are, however, real difficulties, of which we are all aware, in making it compulsory. Nevertheless, Article 14 of the Inter- national Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights provides for the implementation of a scheme over a period of years.
That article reads as follows :
4.
"Each State Party to the present Covenant which, at the time of becoming a Party, has not been able to secure in its metropolitan territory or other territories under its jurisdiction compulsory primary education, free of charge, undertakes, within two years, to work out and adopt a detailed plan of action for the progressive implementation, within a
reasonable number of years, to be fixed in the plan, of the principle of compulsory education free of charge for all.'
11
It was agreed at this morning's meeting that the Governor should be asked to make an announcement about free primary education as soon as possible and to consider again when compulsory primary education could be introduced. This latter step would presumably involve legislation.
10 July, 1970
(E. 0. Laira)
Hong Kong Department
CONFIDENTIAL
K.271.
P. copy () 5.D) 5's letter onto this file and P.A.
Herry
8/13/8/10.