!
of be
more promising means of improving education and is consistent with the closed centre policy. We recommend that details these proposed improvements set out in paragraph 28 above worked out with UNHCR and the voluntary agencies with a view to their introduction as soon as possible.
30
Although there has been no formal consultation with the UNHCR or the voluntary agencies, their views have been sought informally. They think that proposals to operate schools outside the closed centres would do little materially to improve the standard of education. While they would prefer the closed centre policy to be abandoned entirely, they concede that continued improvements along the lines introduced in the last few years would be better for the children concerned.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
31
There are
no financial
implications to these
recommendations.
PUBLIC REACTION
32
Exemption of the schools in open and closed centres from the Education Ordinance is not expected to elicit much public reaction. Voluntary agencies may press for yet more improvements in refugee schools to a standard which allows them to be registered, so that the quality of education provided for refugees can be improved and then maintained by regular inspections from the Education Department. But they
they should welcome the improvements proposed in paragraph 28.
PUBLICITY
33
No publicity is proposed on the exemption. If queried on the inequitable educational facilities provided for local and refugee students, the high cost involved in the improvement of refugee schools to local standards and the impracticability of providing a local style education to children who are seeking Western resettlement would be stressed. Educational and recreational outings for refugee children in closed centres will continue to be conducted with minimum publicity to avoid public resentment over breaches to the closed centre policy.
(The Secretary for Security, Mr D.G. JEAFFRESON and the Director of Education, Mr Y.T. LI, will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item.)
(SRD 801/2/C II) 14 May 1987