CONFIDENTIAL
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16.
Progress on the provision of primary school places continues to be satisfactory. In September 1969 there were 609,300 primary places in publicly financed schools and, as forecast in my last despatch, there will almost certainly be a substantial surplus of such places to accommodate the estimated population of 645,000 6-11 year olds by next year. It is now estimated that there are rather less than 60,000 children of primary school age who are not attending school at any given time, although many will have attended at some time. There has been increasing public comment that primary education should be both fee-free and compulsory. The former is the stated aim of the Government and is near to realisation. There are however as yet practical difficulties, some of them peculiar to Hong Kong, in enforcing compulsory primary education, With our aim in the primary sector very near to achievement, (in some areas there are more than enough places) attention has now been turned to the post-primary sector. A review of post-primary education is being carried out, and the possibility is being investigated of setting an objective, which will have to be phased over a period, of three years aided post-primary education for all who seek it, and a full secondary course for an appropriate percentage. It is to be recalled here that educational costs are met from general revenue, and no form of educational rate is payable to help defray these costs.
17.
In the field of vocational and technical education, good progress has been made, A Technical Institute started classes on a limited scale in September 1969 offering courses from pre-apprenticeship to lower technician level, and consideration is being given to the need for more such institutes. A committee, appointed to plan a Polytechnic for post- secondary vocational education in technical and commercial subjects leading to various diplomas and certificates, with a limited number of courses up to pass-degree level, has made substantial progress. It is envisaged the Polytechnic will comprise the existing Technical College, suitably expanded and improved, and at least one new sister institution; together providing a total of 4,000 full-time and 20,000 part-time places by 1974.
18.
As from the academic year 1969/70, a new student financing scheme was introduced under which public funds, totalling $5.5 million for the year 1969/70, are made available for outright grants and interest-free loans to needy students at the two universities. The scheme involves a very considerable increase in the amount of public money available for student aid and aims to ensure that students offered a place in either university should not fail to take it through lack of means. This aid is granted in addition to the general student subsidies the ordinary level of student fees amounts only (as a general statement) to about 10% of the cost of the students' education.
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CONFIDENTIAL