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EDUCATION

Code, is a deficiency grant and enables schools to keep their fees low and to pay teachers the same salaries as Government and Grant Schools. The schools are assisted by free grants of land and building subsidies, and are eligible for interest-free loans for new buildings. More than half such primary schools are in the New Territories, serving small, scattered villages. When a school is needed (or an extension to an existing one) the villagers usually approach the District Officer, who helps them to seek the Director of Education's approval for their plans. A building grant and recurrent subsidy are generally given: the normal village contribu- tion to the capital cost is 50%.

Private Schools. Private_schools range from Kindergarten through primary and secondary to post-secondary. In most cases the private technical and commercial schools aim at short, in- tensive courses. Fees are generally much higher than those in other schools. Two measures were introduced during 1960 to assist private non-profit-making schools. The period of repayment of loans to schools of this kind was extended to 21 years, subject to interest being charged at 34% per annum; schools already in receipt of interest-free loans repayable over 11 years were given the choice of adopting these new terms for the outstanding balance of their loans. Direct Government assistance is also now lent towards paying the salaries of qualified teachers in selected non- profit-making secondary schools. Assistance has been given in certain private secondary schools towards the fees of students who have been selected for entry on the results of the Joint Primary 6 examination. The assistance payable is equal to the difference between the approved fee of the school and the fee that would be charged in a comparable government school. About 1,200 students receive awards of this nature.

VOLUNTARY EDUCATIOM AND WELFARE WORK

Missions of various denominations and the Kaifong (or Neigh- bourhood) welfare associations organize grant-in-aid and subsidized schools. Both Missions and Kaifongs sponsor boards of manage- ment for non-profit-making schools. Kaifongs also provide free education for poor children. The British Red Cross Society or- ganizes hospital schools for crippled children. Schools for the deaf,

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