Supplementary to Question No. 7
in LegCo Meeting on 20.11.85
Mr. Yeung Po-kwan:- Sir, despite the guidelines on safety issued by
the Education Department each year, can Government assure the public
that there is full compliance on the part of the school van operators
with a recommendation that children should be supervised by a teacher
or an adult other than the driver while travelling?
Secretary for Transport:- Sir, I would like to give a general assurance
that these vehicles are properly constructed, properly maintained and that
they do behave in a safe manner, generally speaking. Over 70 per cent
of the vehicles, as shown by a recent survey, do have an adult supervisor
in addition to the driver and I believe that the present system is very
much better than the old system where vehicles were not properly maintained
and properly insured.
Prof. Poon:- Sir, I would like to make reference to the question of
present needs. There are two types of school children, one is going to
the normal schools and the other going to special schools. I understand
that children going to special schools, because of their need,' pay an
average of $100 more than other going to normal schools. I believe
a large number of children going to special schools come from familie s
of insufficient means. Will Government inform this Council whether
there are plans to subsidise the cost of the transport service for
needy parents of special school pupils?