EDUCATION
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From September 1, 1971, free primary education was introduced in all government Chinese language schools and in the majority of aided primary schools. Included in the policy is the abolition of tuition fees in government primary schools, both the tuition fees and the subscription (tong fai) in aided primary schools and the $5 annual contribution which is charged in government schools to meet the cost of extra-curricular activities such as sports and school picnics. In addition, all aided primary schools which have not fully repaid their government interest-free loans for building and equip- ment will have their loans waived. The new scheme benefits about three-quarters of the total primary school enrolment.
The textbook and stationery grant of $20 per annum which was introduced in 1969 continues to be available to 20 per cent of pupils in government and aided primary schools. This serves further to lighten the burden of needy parents.
The Education Ordinance 1971 gives the Director of Education powers to enforce school attendance where parents appear to be unnecessarily withholding their children of suitable age from attend- ing primary school. These powers will be exercised by the Director only after a careful investigation of the family's circumstances and the needs of the child. When an attendance order is made, parents have the right of appeal to a specially constituted board of review. The decision of the board is final.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION
Thirty-one special schools cater for more than 4,000 blind, deaf, physically handicapped, mentally handicapped and maladjusted children. In addition, there are 30 special classes for 600 slow- learning children in 16 government primary schools, four special classes for 40 partially hearing children in two government primary schools, and two special classes for 30 partially sighted children in one government primary school. Over 350 mildly physically handi- capped children have been placed in ordinary classes in government primary schools and government subsidised schools. These children are supervised regularly by the Special Education Section.
The Special Education Section provides diagnostic services which include audiologic testing, psychological testing, speech screening, and educational assessment, as well as remedial services in auditory training and speech therapy. It also runs an audiometric screening programme and a speech screening programme in government primary schools. During the year these services were made available to over 17,000 children. The section also runs in-service training