REST ICTLD
and secondary schools of the same educational standard. By
May 1971 costs at the English schools had risen to more than
double those at Chinese schools and the Government were obliged
to announce fee increases at English schools from HKZ480 to
1,500 at primary level and from HK$1,500 to HKZ3,000 at
secondary level.
10. By and large the local Chinese community welcomed the
policy of parity of subsidy. The expatriate community on the
other hand strongly opposed the Government's proposal to increase
the fees. The matter was hotly debated in the local press and
a number of Members of Parliament received letters from Hong
Kong on the subject. Petitions were sent to the Secretary of
State.
11.
As a result of this agitation the Government decided to
postpone the introduction of the increase in fces and a Select
Committee of the Legislative Council was appointed to enquire
into the costs of operating the English schools.
12.
We have just heard that the Government have announced that
from 1 January 1973 the fees at the English schools will be
HK$1,150 at primary schools and HK$2,050 at secondary schools.
It has also been announced that local education allowances for
Jovernment employees are to be introduced at the same time.
The new fees are an interim arrangement and it is the intention
of the Government to review the whole position and to formulate
new proposals for the financing of the English schools by the
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/end