EDUCATION
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scattered villages. When a rural 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. Usually capital grants are made up to a maximum of 50% of the total cost of the school, but for some low cost village schools a larger subsidy may be given.
Private Schools range from kindergarten through primary and secondary to post-secondary. In most cases private technical and commercial schools aim at short, intensive courses. Fees are generally much higher than those in other schools. Two measures, introduced in 1960, assist private, non-profit-making schools. The period of repayment of loans by schools of this kind was extended to 21 years, subject to interest being charged at 31% per annum; schools already in receipt of interest-free loans repay- able over 11 years were given the choice of adopting these new terms for the outstanding balance of their loans. Direct Govern- ment assistance is also given by paying part of the salaries of qualified teachers in selected non-profit-making secondary schools. Students in such schools who have been selected for entry on the results of the Joint Primary Six Examination have also been assisted by having their fees paid in whole or in part. The assist- ance 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 2,500 students receive awards of this nature. Assistance to certain non-profit-making secondary schools on the basis of the number of classrooms occupied has also been in operation since September 1961.
VOLUNTARY EDUCATION AND WELFARE WORK
Missions of various denominations and the Kaifong Welfare Associations organize grant-in-aid and subsidized schools. Both Missions and Kaifongs sponsor boards of management for non- profit-making schools. Kaifongs also provide free education for poor children. The British Red Cross Society organizes hospital schools for crippled children. Schools for the deaf, for the blind and for lepers, orphanages, and homes for maladjusted children are also provided by various welfare associations while the Po Leung Kuk