3

Thursday, November 1, 1973

GOVERNOR UNDERLINES IMPORTANCE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

The government is committed to a vast expansion of technical

education in Hong Kong, the Governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, said today.

"I feel sure that in committing ourselves to the large scale

provision of this type of education we will be filling the gap felt by

many parents and many young people, as well as by industry and commerce,

and that we are making the soundest possible investment for the future,"

he said.

Sir Murray was speaking at the first presentation of awards of

the Hong Kong Polytechnic held in the City Hall.

He described technical education as "a first class form of

education in its own right," and he believed that no parent in this modern

age would consider that academic education conferred a higher status than

technical education, or vice versa.

The Governor said he hoped to see a natural link developing

between the pre-vocational schools, the secondary technical schools and the

technical colleges, "with the Polytechnic at the apex."

"I am convinced that this new broad stream of technical education

will greatly benefit our community in Hong Kong," he said.

Referring to the proposed expansion programme for technical education,

he said it was envisaged that one-fifth of the places in three-year

secondary courses would be in pre-vocational schools, and one-third of those

in five-year courses would be in secondary technical schools.

/In addition

Share This Page