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Wednesday, March 29, 1972
For my part I would like to achieve 100 per cent provision
as oarly as possible, but I really must emphasise that the expansion
programme wo have set ourselves in the post-primary field under existing
approved policies is a tremendous one.
Mr. Canning said that consideration would be given to a suggestion
that public funds be made available to permit any child between the ages
of 6 and 15 years to attend a school registered with the Education
Department subject to it being established that the parents concerned
would need such financial assistance and that there was no aided place
available for the child.
Subsidized Special Schools
Turning to fees in subsidized special schools, Mr. Canning said:
"It is Government's aim to provide a free primary education for all.
Special schools have not yet been included in the present scheme, not
because there is any doubt about the merit of extending free primary
education to handicapped children, but because the financial arrangements
in these schools differ considerably from ordinary primary schools.
"Proposals to increase the level of subsidies for special
schools are now under consideration and I have recommended that if they
are approved they should take effect from September 1, 1971." This means
that the proposed new subsidies would be beckdated if approved.
Mr. Canning said it was his view that handicapped children
should be educated in ordinary schools provided that the degree of handicap
was not severe and that special facilities and staff were made available.
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