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resettlement and repeated rejections by resettlement countries. There is no overt evidence of major emotional disturbances among the majority of the refugees. Nevertheless all concerned with the administration of the camps and the care and welfare of the refugees are at all times aware of the pressures the refugees face and do all they can to mitigate their effects.
The report again addresses the question of education for school-age children in the closed centres. As you know the UNHCR submitted proposals in Uctober 1987 regarding the integration of refugee children in the local education system. These proposals, which cover a number of options, are being critically examined by the administration with a view to an early submission to Executive Council. We do not under-estimate the practical and political difficulties involved. Meanwhile all concerned would agree that the standard of education within the closed centres could be improved. We understand from the UNHCR that the number of qualified teachers in the closed centres is now increasing. Improvements to physical facilities will continue to be made wherever possible and space limitations permit.
On the specific issue of pay rates for Vietnamese teachers, it is not correct to say that these rates are fixed by C.S.D. Since the UNHCR took over responsibility for financing the education programmes in the closed centres in January 1986, the salaries payable to refugee teachers have been entirely a matter for the voluntary agencies in consultation with the UNHCR.
You mention the report of the Working Group on Work and Vocational Training Programmes for Refugees in Closed Centres. This report has recently been completed and submitted to the Government and the UNHCR for consideration. We would agree that more work and training opportunities for the refugees would help them to adjust to long periods awaiting durable solutions as well as improve their prospects of resettlement to countries prepared to consider or reconsider refugees with newly acquired skills. The extent of the Government's involvement with initiatives proposed in the Working Group's report will be subject to the advice of the Executive Council in due course.
Turning to the question of management of the closed centres, we firmly believe that, for as long as the closed centre policy continues, the Correctional Services Department is the appropriate department to manage the closed centres. It is the only organisation with the expertise and experience necessary for the