C.S. 41A
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2600077
15,000-4/71-B86483
AXEWS IN
SECRET
REF. (7) in SCR 20/2041/67 IV
Dew Law
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NEW
REF.
RECEY No.51
14 JUL 1972
FKK 9/18
(3)
COLONIAL SECRETARIAT
LOWER ALBERT ROAD
HONG KONG
7th June 1972
Hin Kelly
th Leber
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Submit on thei
I forward for your information four copies of a report (reference (8) in C/2/14/4 dated 28th April 1972) prepared by the Special Branch on "The Communist Threat in Education" which has been approved by the Governor's Committee.
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As you will see from paragraph 79 and the graph at Annex A there has been a continuing expansion in the communist schools, but at a rate which has kept pace with the overall growth in enrolment. Part of this expansion is probably due to the increase in the number of persons employed by communist firms as a result of their expansion in the banking and commercial sectors. There are thus more people on whom pressure can be brought to send their children to communist schools.
The Director of Education has reservations, based on the experience of his inspectors, that the excess of attendance over enrolment is as high as the 5% figure quoted in paragraph 22. He also feels that the communists are unlikely to make any significant advance in the provision of secondary schools for some time. But since development in this field is an inevitable result of expansion in the primary field he agrees that the position needs watching.
The
We have considered various possible counter measures in an attempt to check the growth of communist schools. concensus of opinion is that, although at times it can be curtailed by repressive action of the kind recommended in the report, the most effective counter-measure must lie in the provision of more alternative places and the increase in the number of places in Government and aided secondary schools, particularly in the new resettlement estates and the New Territories. This approach has proved to be fruitful in the field of primary education.
Our present aim, as you are no doubt aware, is to provide by 1976 three years of assisted secondary education for 50% of the children in the 12-14 age group and, by the same date, to provide five years of assisted secondary education for 18-20% of the 12-16 age group. Indications are that the target can be achieved ahead of schedule and it may be possible, subject to a review of the position by the Director of Education next year, to embark on a more ambitious programme to provide nine years of aided education for all.
Along/.....
SECKI.