EDUCATION ACTION GROUP
教育行
動
組
6, FORT STREET, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG. TEL. H-700915, K-673315 北角堡壘街六號地下
Points for discussion with Mr. Reginald Evre and Miss Janet Sookes, Conservative Members of Parliament, 18th August:
1.
Mr. Denis Bray said in a speech on 28th March that when he takes up his job as Hong Kong Commissioner in England he will tell the British that basic liberties taken for granted in a democratic state are found in Hong Kong. EAG feels that the right for unions to negotiate directly with Government is a basic civil liberty. However, Govern- ment often refuses to negotiate with teachers' unions as unions have requested resulting in Government making unilateral decisions. For example, Government recently decided to redeploy over 600 primary teachers but didn't negotiate directly with the teachers' unions. EAG feels that example not only refutes Mr. Bray's claim of civil liberties but also shows Government is more concerned about finances than the welfare of students. Instead of redeploying the teachers because of a decrease in primary population, Government could have used the opportunity to reduce class sizes as many education groups and unions urged. (The present 45 pupils per class on bi-sessional basis in the majority of Chinese schools makes adequate teaching and attention to students almost impossible).
45
Legal max in both prim & see schools. diming for 30 to 35
fo: 30 to 35 per class.
EAG is also disturbed by Mr. Bray's plan to tell the British that the Hong Kong Government is extremely sensitive to trends of public opinion which influences policy in a substantial way, EAG pointed out that although there is wide spread opposition to the introduction of a Junior Certificate Examination and other forms of selection at Form Form 3 level, it appears that Government is determined to provide subsidized education in Forms 4 and 5 for only 40%. This will make the extremely competitive education system even more examination oriented with the possibility of 6 selective exama (kindergarten entrance examinations, primary 1 entrance examinations, aptitude test at primary 6 level, JCE after Form 3, School Certificate Examination after Form 5 and Matriculation).
3. EAG feels Government has refused to take several steps which could help reduce the gap between the rich and the poor:
A. As raised with a visiting MP last year, EAG feels the corporate tax of HK is
extremely low, the maximum being 17.5%. We feel this low tax prevents Government from carrying out many urgently needed social service programmes in the fields of education, housing, medical and social welfare. Thus Government is protecting the wealthy from discharging their responsibility to workers who aren't receiving a fair share of HK's resources.
B. In EAG's recent survey of resettlement children, we discovered the children are extremely handicapped by: excessively noisy and overcrowded living conditions making homework concentration very difficult; parents' generally low educational level and lack of ability and time to assist with homework problems; and lack of financial means to employ tutors (so common among middle and upper income families for assistance with homework and exam preparation). 86.2% said they needed tutorial assistance. But, when answering a question from a Legislative Councillor about whether Government would be willing to subsidize group tutorial assistance for resettlement children, the Chief Secretary replied that it is impractical.
C. Government has refused to provide subsidized Form 4 and 5 education for 60% of the population. One of the reasons is based on past years' School Certificate Examination results with pass percentages of 40-50%. In spite of the past School Certificate Examination being held only in English (students may now choose to take the exam in either English or Chinese), Government concluded that only 40% of HK Chinese children are suitable for Form 4 and 5 education. EAG feels this is a very unfair and racist argument since their HK English counterparts and children in England are all entitled to Forms 4 and 5 education without a selective examination after Form 3.
The
Wa hope Mr. Eyış and Miss Sookes will raise these problems with the British Parliament. and the HK Government. We feel the British Government should be informed of the extremg pressures under which our school children live (stated above and on accompanying sheets). and the falseness of the excuse that people in Hong Kong love this academic struggle. situation here is not an example of dedication to learning typical of many Chinese. instead, an example of the pressures and struggle for a child to merely find and maintain a place in achonl.
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