CONFIDENTIAL
Note No. 1
BACKGROUND
PRIMARY LDUCATION
There are three main types of schools in Hong Kong:
those wholly maintained and run by the Government, those run
by voluntary bodies with Government financial assistance in
the form of recurrent aid, and those which are wholly main-
tained and run by private bodies and individuals.
2. The six-year primary school course is normally begun
at the age of six. At present, primary education is
neither free nor compulsory but in Government and Government-
aided schools fees are low and the maximum rate of fee re-
mission up to 20 per cent is allowed where standard fees are
charged. Standard fees vary according to whether the school
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is in an urban district (H.K. 20 p.a.) or in a rural
district (H.K. 10 p.a.). Aided schools which have been
built and equipped with the help of a loan are allowed to
charge a subscription", over and above the standard fee, to
facilitate loan repayments. In addition, there is a scheme
of text book and stationery grants for holders of free places.
3.
Fees in private schools are generally higher than those
in Government and aided schools, Places are available for
all children of primary school age who desire them. This
position has been achieved chiefly by operating the schools
on a bi-sessional basis.
CONFIDENTIAL
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