E/1982/3/Add.16
English Page 69
Paragraph_2 (d)
10.
To cater for persons who have not received primary education, or whose primary education has been curtailed, the Adult Education Section of the Education Department makes available a number of retrieval courses, including Chinese literacy classes and Chinese general subjects classes, of such a kind as to afford full opportunity to such persons to further their basic education. Similar courses are also provided by voluntary bodies in receipt of financial assistance from the Government. Courses at a more advanced level are also provided (e.g. those of the Evening School of Higher Chinese Studies). In addition, a number of private schools operate Chinese literacy classes.
Paragraph 2 (e)
11.
As indicated in the comments on article 13, paragraph 2(a), (b) and (c), the development of a system of schools at all levels is actively pursued. A variety of opportunities exist, both within Hong Kong and made available by institutions overseas, for teachers to pursue professional studies. Teaching staff employed by the Government participate in such improvements of conditions of service as affect the Civil Service generally. Salary scales of teaching staff employed in schools in receipt of a recurrent subsidy from the Government and administered under the relevant Codes of Aid applicable to such schools, are subject to improvement, pari passu, with those of teaching staff employed in the Civil Service. Conditions of service of teachers in private schools are matters of private contract between employer and employee.
Paragraph 3
12. The Education Ordinance, which constitutes the legal framework within which schools are established and conducted in Hong Kong, makes provision for the registration of private schools, subject to statutory requirements regarding the suitability and safety of premises to be used for school purposes, and the suitability of persons to be approved and registered as managers or employed as teachers. Private schools registered under the Education Ordinance offer a wide variety of courses at kindergarten, primary, secondary and post-secondary levels. There is no restriction on the liberty of parents or legal guardians to utilize the facilities provided by private schools.
Paragraph 4
13.
As regards the liberty of individuals to establish and direct educational institutions, the Education Ordinance places no restrictions on such liberty other than such as may arise from a legitimate concern that individuals applying to be approved or registered as managers of schools are, in general, fit and proper persons to be entrusted with the responsibilities involved.
ARTICLE 14: PRINCIPLE OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION,
FREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL
As regards primary education, the comments on article 13, paragraph 2(a) are relevant. The provisions of the Education Ordinance relating to the power of the
14.
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