On education generally, I cannot say much about the ferment going on here and all over the world about what should be the proper structure of educational systems and the content of courses. On these questions, it is up to the experts to make up their minds and reach agreement, if they can. But I do believe that primary education to a good standard should be as readily available and as cheap to all as possible, although I have personally residual doubts about the wisdom of making it free anywhere, and the gravest doubts about the practic- ability of making it effectively compulsory in our present circumstances. I am sure we shall be able, however, quite soon, to see an aided primary education readily available to all who desire it. I hope also that, by reducing costs to the parent still further, and in other ways removing as far as possible the reasons why children fail to attend school, we shall be able to reduce the problem of non-attendance at school to a point where legislation can cope with the inevitable resudue of those
Announcement by the President
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who wilfully keep their children from school. When I do leave here, the memory of Hong Kong's delightful children and intelligent, lively young people will be one of the things which stay with me longest. What we do, in all spheres, we do essentially for the future and for them, even though they may sometimes find this hard to believe.
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