CONFIDENTIAL
Reference
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(49)
1.
At the second meeting of the Standing Committee to monitor the Hong Kong Planning Faper, held on 7 February 1977, the Committee took the view (paragraph 6 of the record), subject to confirmation by the Hong Kong Government, that the secondary education programme is slipping either on account of delays in school-building or a shortage of teachers. It was suggested that the facts be ascertained and that thereafter the possibility of seeking UK expert assistance might be considered.
2. I have looked at the latest figures submitted by Mr Ardley on 17 February relating to the shortfall in junior secondary education. Some explanation of the reason for the shortfall is required and I accordingly enclose a draft letter to the Director of Education.
2 March 1977
Landffer
T Duffy
Hong Kong Department
**$ 34 - 77
Encl
1. I think that Mr Duffy is right to take the figures contained in the tables attached to Mr Ardley's letter of 17 February as the starting point for a letter to the Director of Education (I suggested in my minute of 16 February that a letter to Mr Topley might be the best means of dealing with the queries raised at the last meeting of the Standing Committee about the shortfall in the number of secondary education places).
2. This said, I confess that I have always found the Hong Kong Government's plans and figures in the field of junior secondary education somewhat confusing. I would draw attention to the following documents in the "case".
3. First, there is the statement in paragraphs 9 and 10 of Annex D to the Planning Paper, which was written in Hong Kong and based on the 1974 White Paper on Education that the target for "subsidies (and where necessary free)" secondary education in Form 1, ie 12 year olds, is 100% places by September 1978. No specific target date is mentioned for the provision of places for all potential Form 2-3 children, ie 13-14 year olds, though it is said that there will be facilities for
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CONFIDENTIAL