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Wednesday, February 28, 1973
EXPANSION OF EDUCATION
Four more technical institutes are to be built in Hong Kong and
the capacity of the Polytechnic will be expanded to meet the approved targets.
This was stated by the Financial Secretary, the Hon. C.P. Haddon-
Cave, when outlining future spending on education during his Budget speech.
A further revision for the targets for secondary education, he added,
was also being considered.
Expenditure involved in a revised programme of secondary education
had not yet been determined, he said, but he tentatively estimated that
to achieve places for all in the 12-14 age group and for 40 per cent in the
15-16 age group would involve additional spending of $500 million.
When fully realised, he added, a further $130 million at present
day prices would have to be added to the annually recurrent bill for education.
He noted that in 1962/63 spending on education represented 14 per
cent of total expenditure. By 1972/73, the proportion had increased to
19 per cent and was estimated to remain at that level for 1973/74.
"The factors contributing to this startling change are universal
and free primary education, and the establishment of a second university and
of the Polytechnic," he explained.
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