HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I wish to mention here the restrictions on primary education. So long as these restrictions remain, primary education could hardly be run properly.
(1) Out-dated education regulations
The education regulations of Hong Kong are mostly passive rules full of prohibitions, restrictions and penalties, without any positive encouragement to people engaged in the education profession. As a result, many know only what are not permitted, and nothing of positive value. For example, with regard to the subject of moral education, there are only some guidelines while a clear definition is lacking. On the aims of education, there is only some mention of moral, intellectual, physical, social and art education. A target for national education is again missing. As for civic and political education, the schools, under a taboo, would mostly avoid any subjects outside the text-books, such as the Sino-British negotiations on the future of Hong Kong, the Sino-British Joint Declaration, development of local government, the Green and White Papers on Representative Government etc. As a result, the pupils are ignorant of politics, and it is difficult to instill a sense of civic responsibility into their mind. In the report of the Assessment Office on the acceptability of the Sino-British agreement, not a single school is on the list of organizations that have made a submission. This clearly shows that the schools are very much restrained by the out-dated education regulations. The situation in secondary schools is no different from that in primary schools.
(2) Bi-sessional primary school system
The system was adopted as an expedient after the war when facilities were insufficient. It is not expected that the system is still in force today because of financial consideration, and, I am afraid that there would be little change up to 1997. By this system, a day's work is packed into half a day. The intensive pace has caused the pupils stomach troubles and the teachers certain degree of stress or nervous prostration. Also, the teachers cannot make use of the time after school to get close to nor arrange extra-curricular activities for the pupils. Of course, it is difficult to turn the bi-sessional classes in their hundreds into full-time schools in a short period of time. But it is earnestly hoped that government will consider the issue and make improvements in due course.
Junior Secondary Education Assessment System
The first report of the Education Commission suggests that the Junior Secondary Education Assessment System be abolished in 1991.
The Junior Secondary Education Assessment System is intended to provide the industrial sector with unskilled or semi-skilled labour. However, the industrial sector has not hitherto benefited by the system, but it has given rise to juvenile problems which would act as a hidden powerful time-bomb in our society, capable of upsetting public peace and order. The riot on 13 January 1984 in Kowloon would serve as an example.
These young boys and girls may be easily found in some busy street corners, city squares, playgrounds and open spaces in housing estates. They usually gather in knots, smoking, speaking in foul language and sometimes laughing aloud without regard for others. When they are walking, some may sway and appear semi-conscious. One cannot help uttering a sigh on seeing their behaviour and thinking that the future of Hong Kong depends on them.
We hope the Education Department will help these young people who are on the fringe of going loose by speeding up the pace of secondary school construction. At the same time, the Department should buy more places in the well-organized private schools so that more young people will have the chance of studying in the higher forms and will not become problem youth.
It is said that government does not buy places from some of the well-organized left wing private secondary schools. In my opinion, the future of Hong Kong is now settled after the signing of the Sino-British Agreement and there should not be any more factional conflicts. Instead, we should overcome any difficulties facing us and work together to show our affection for Hong Kong and to promote its prosperity. I suggest therefore government consider buying places also from left wing private secondary schools in order to reduce the juvenile problems which are getting worse as time goes on.
In passing, may I say that in the International Youth Year of 1985, when we organize various activities for the elite youth, we do not forget to pay particular attention to those problem young people and lead them back to the right course of life.
(3) On the Urban Council
Mr. Chairman, finally, I would like to speak on matters concerning this Council.
Strengthening relationship between Urban Council and District Boards
Urban Councillors who sit on District Boards should attend the Board meetings and take part in their activities more frequently so that there is more communication between the Urban Council and the District Boards. Also, district feedback may be obtained to serve as guidelines for the Urban Council in the planning of capital projects as well as cultural and recreational services in the districts.
The Urban Council should work more closely with the District Boards in the organization of district activities, explain to the District Boards details of its policies, planning and guidelines, and invite District Board members to attend the Council's meetings to discuss plans and programmes for their districts. Not only will this strengthen mutual co-operation, but also give the District Board members a sense of involvement, narrow down the gap between the two institutions, and remove any unnecessary misunderstandings, suspicions and jealousy.
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