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Replies to B.A.0. Questions
Q. 1
Ans.
Q. 2
Ans.
When was free and compulsory primary education in Hongkong begun?
The Education Ordinance 1971 gives the Director of Education power to order attendance at primary school for a child who has attained the age of 6 and not the age of 12. Free primary education is provided in all government primary schools and the majority of aided primary schools since September 1971. There are, however, 37 aided primary schools still charging fees.
What is the specific ordinance covering point 1? What is the policy of enforcement? How many officers are assigned to the enforcement of compulsory primary education? Is the ordinance and investigations dependent upon cases being brought by schools or social workers before the Education Department or does the Department carry out investigations to determine if all students are in school?
Initial
Part VII of the Ordinance spells out the power vested in the Director of Education, Area officers are entrusted with this duty. Reports on non-attendance have been received from various sources, namely schools, Social Welfare Department, Police, voluntary agencies and members of the public. investigations are conducted by area officers in the first instance on receipt of such reports. More complicated cases are referred to the Social Welfare Department for further and detailed investigations into the background before action is taken under the provisions of the Education Ordinance.
Q. 3 3 What was the number of children who dropped cut of school after each of primary 1, primary 2, primary 3, primary 4, primary 5 and primary 6 in 1975 and in 1976 (July)? If the Education Department doesn't have figures, which Department might?
Ans.
a) Estimates of drop-outs in primary schools for 1976 are not yet available as the computer centre is still processing enrolment statistics for 1976/77,
b) Drop-outs for the lower classes (P.1 to P.4) are believed
to be almost negligible.
c) Drop-outs for the higher grades in Sept 1974 and Sept 1975
are estimated as follows:
At the end
of P.4
At the end
At the end
of P.5
of P.5
Sept. 1974 Sept. 1975
1,599 1,333
3,930
3,933
26,921 30,260