EDUCATION
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A number of private day and evening schools offer varying standards of post- secondary courses. None of these schools receives aid from the government and they will not be covered by the proposals described in the White Paper on The Develop- ment of Senior Secondary and Tertiary Education.
Higher Education
Grants and interest-free loans for needy students at the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong are provided from public funds under a gov- ernment scheme introduced in the 1969-70 academic year. The scheme, administered by the Joint Universities' Committee on Student Finance, ensures that lack of means does not prevent students from taking up places in either of the two universities. The amount of public funds available for student financing has increased substantially over the years. For 1978-9, $7.1 million in grants and $27.1 million in interest-free loans have been provided.
The student financing scheme was extended to Hong Kong Polytechnic students in 1976-7. Some $1.1 million in grants and $16.9 million in loans were provided by the government for polytechnic students in 1978–9. The grants and loans are administered by the Polytechnic Committee on Student Finance.
Both universities and the polytechnic have some financial resources of their own, but are largely financed by the government. Because of the importance attached to developing university and polytechnic facilities and the sums of public money in- volved - the government relies on the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee, appointed by the Governor, to provide impartial and expert advice on the amount of finance required to develop or sustain any level of higher education activity. The committee also advises the government on the allocation of funds among the univer- sities and the polytechnic.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic
The Hong Kong Polytechnic, which was established in 1972, developed from the former Hong Kong Technical College. The bulk of the polytechnic's finances comes from the government through the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee.
In 1978, major events included the opening of the Polytechnic Community Centre and the Michael Clinton Swimming Pool, and the enrolment of students in the newly- established Institute of Medical and Health Care.
The Polytechnic Community Centre, designed for use by students and staff, consists of two adjacent buildings, the Sports Centre and the Amenities Building. The Sports Centre comprises three gymnasia, a table-tennis area, five squash courts and two tennis courts on the roof top. The Amenities Building houses the Student Welfare Unit, Staff Association and Students' Union offices, canteens, common rooms and a commercial area accommodating a bookstore, a coffee shop and a small bank. The community centre was officially opened by the Financial Secretary in May.
The swimming pool, a gift from donors, is dedicated to the late Michael Clinton in memory of his outstanding administrative services in the government. It was officially opened by the Chief Secretary in April.
The polytechnic campus is located in Hung Hom, Kowloon, on a site adjacent to the Cross Harbour Tunnel. Since the 1973–4 academic year when the polytechnic had