WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1976
APPROPRIATION BILL PASSED IN LEGCO
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THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1976 COMPLETED ITS PASSAGE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE, THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN RAISED A NUMBER OF POINTS ON EDUCATION, LAW AND ORDER, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, THE ROLE OF SMALL FACTORIES, AND SOCIAL AND CULTURAL SERVICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ON EDUCATION, HE EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE NUMBER OF DROP-OUTS IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL SYSTEM.
HE SUGGESTED THAT IT BE MADE MANDATORY UNDER PENALTY OF A FINE OR OTHER APPROPRIATE PENALTY FOR ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TO REPORT DROP-OUTS TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WITHIN A PERIOD OF 60 DAYS OR LESS IF PRACTICABLE.
FURTHERMORE, HE SAID MORE SPECIAL CLASSES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR DROP-OUTS AND OVER AGE PRIMARY PUPILS, AND INCREASING PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO SUBSIDISING NURSERIES AND KINDERGARTENS FOR LOWER INCOME FAMILIES.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN STRESSED THAT THESE WERE BUT PART OF A LARGER AND MORE COORDINATED EFFORT WHICH WAS REQUIRED TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL DROP-OUTS, AS WELL AS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF POTENTIAL MISFITS, JUVENILE DELIQUENTS AND YOUNG CRIMINALS.
IN REPLY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY SAID THE KIND OF POLICING ENVISAGED BY MR. CHEONG-LEEN WOULD BE CUMBERSOME AND VERY EXPENSIVE SO THAT HE WOULD NOT INTEND TO PROCEED ALONG THE LINES SUGGESTED.
HE BELIEVED THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MONITORING NON- ATTENDANCE WERE SOUND. +WE HAVE ALSO MOUNTED FOR THIS AND ALLIED PURPOSES A REACHING OUT SCHEME OF SOCIAL WORK, IN CO- OPERATION WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.+
HE ADDED THAT THERE WERE ALREADY ADEQUATE PLACES IN SPECIAL CLASSES FOR SLOW LEARNERS AND SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR RE- ENTRANTS TO THE PRIMARY SYSTEM. +WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION AT PRESENT IN THE LIGHT OF OUR OTHER PRIORITIES TO CONSIDER SUBSIDISING KINDERGARTEN PLACES.+
ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH, MR. CHEONG-LEEN SUGGESTED TO MAKE IT COMPULSORY REGULAR MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FOR GIRLS WORKING IN MUSIC PARLOURS AND OTHER LIKE ESTABLISHMENTS.
IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS, HE SAID POSITIVE PREVENTIVE MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO REDUCE EVEN FURTHER THE INCIDENCE OF VENEREAL DISEASE IN THE COMMUNITY, +BEARING IN MIND THAT MANY YOUNG FACTORY WORKERS, APPRENTICES, MECHANICS AND LABOURERS PATRONISE SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS, +
TURNING