public appearances.
The visitors are also received by one or more prominent
C.P.G. officials who have some platitudinous messages for them to pass on to their colleagues in Hong Kong.
48.
The primary purpose behind the whole programme of despatching local
school-children on excursions to China as the further development of the process
of group indoctrination undertaken in local classrooms and during extra-mural
activities. In the course of these tours, exposure to the lectures given by
Government officials and persons of standing not only interprets for them the current "line" in Party thinking but serves to identify them with the class
struggle and to reinforce their anti-government stand when they return. By means of discussion and the analysis of their work, teachers in particular are made to feel that in promoting "patriolic" education in a hostile environment they are
making a significant contribution to a cause which has the support and commenda-
tion of the C.P.G. and, that the victory for which they strive is inevitable and
not too remote. Morale in local educational circles, therefore, nas usually
remained high even when it has dropped in other communist circles in Hong Kong.
The result is a conformity in both thought and action on the part of the students
from which there are few opportunities for deviation and little room for the
exercise of free choice. The system is thus totally at variance with the non-
communist concept, where development of individuality and the interchange of ideas
are paramount considerations in education.
49.
There is also a secondary purpose, perhaps almost as important. The
effects of the indoctrinal sessions which the Hong Kong visitors attend are not limited to the participants themselves, for they are expected to spread the gospel on their return among colleagues and others who have ret had the opportunity or resources to go themselves. They do so by delivering prepared speeches at school gatherings called together for the purpose and in some cases putting their impres- sions on tapes which are then circulated. The dialogue is thereafter continued in
various study sessions. The fulminations and exhortations of their mainland
preceptors thus reaches a much wider audience than those who actually take part in
the tours.
SECRET