2
The drop-out rates should be seen against the following enrolment figures:
!
Day School Enrolment
As at September
P.1
P.2
P.3
P.4
P.5
P.6
1973
1974
1975
94,861
111,206 111,317 119,952
| 102,644 105,894 113,579 120,233 122,145 114,068
| 97,716 106,617 113,270 118,690 113,038
124,098 123,225 115,409
Q. 4 Although primary education in government and subsidised primary schools is now free, we understand schools are still allowed to charge "tong fai". Is there a maximum charge allowed? Are textbooks, workbooks and art supplies provided free? If not, what is the average charge for textbooks etc. in government/ subsidised primary schools? Are other charges allowed? A fair percentage of children attend private primary schools, is there an adequate number of government/subsidised places for all children if they chose to attend such schools?
Ans.
As explained in the Answer to Question1, 37 aided primary schools charge tuition fees plus "Tong Fai" averaging $80 p.a. to meet the share of their expenditure not covered by government subventions. There is no maximum charge. A Text-book and Stationery Grant was introduced in government and aided primary schools in September 1968 with the present rate of $30 p.a. per pupil and the ceiling for such a grant in a school is 20% of the approved accommodation. Genuine hardship cases are considered on individual merits if the quota is exceeded in the schools concerned. The average chargo for text-books etc. varies from school to school and it is impossible to work out an average applicable to all schools, No charges are collected in free government and aided primary schools. Adequate government and aided places are available for children in the 6 to 11 age group.
Q. 5 We understand that tuition fees in government and aided secondary
schools range between $400-450 per year (with half charge in rural areas) and that these schools may also charge $20--220 extra per annum for extra expenditures? Are charges above Form 3 higher and if so what are the tuition and extra charges per annum in each Form? What is the tuition and extra charges for bought places? Is there a maximum tuition allowed in priviate schools with no bought places? What is the average cost for textbooks in each Form in government/subsidised secondary schools?
Ans.
In
(i) The standard tuition fee for Forms I to V in rural government
and subsidized secondary schools is $400 p.e. and for Forms VI, $450 p.a. (Corresponding figures for rural government and aided schools are $200 and $220 p.a, respectively). aided secondary schools, an additional Mong Pai" or subscriptions may be charged which vary from school to school. Holders of bought places in either an urban or rural private school have to pay the standard tuition fee, i.e. $400 or $200 p.a. plus any excess of the approved gazetted inclusive fee of that school over the maximum of $680 p.2. Folders of full free places given fee remission under the Sought Place Scheme hav