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Reply:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Mr President,
(a)
(b)
(c)
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of the breakdown by district on the number of such cases in each of the past three years, together with particulars of the stolen items and the estimated value in each case as well as the number of cases which have been solved;
whether the Education Department (ED) will ask schools to take out insurance on the relatively expensive items such as audio-visual equipment and computers; and whether the ED has provided funds for schools to replace the lost items in case of thefts; if so, the total amount of funds allocated in the past three years; and
whether the ED has adopted any measures to help schools to improve their security systems, such as installing anti-theft devices in classrooms or rooms where the relatively expensive items are stored, so as to reduce the chances of thefts occurring?
The number of burglary cases in schools reported to the Education Department was 28 for the school year 1992/93, 33 for 1993/94 and 17 for the period from September to November 1994. The items stolen ranged from petty cash, tools and cupboards to audio-visual aids and office equipment such as fax machines and computers. Details are at the Appendix. We do not keep record on the original value of these stolen items and on the number of cases solved by the Police, though each case of burglary must be reported to the Police before compensation may be claimed from the Education Department for replacement purpose. For the amount of compensation, please refer to the Appendix.
Government acts as an insurer of all standard items which include specified audio-visual equipment and computers in all Government and aided schools. Stolen items are therefore replaced as a matter of policy by the Education Department. For above-standard and non-standard items, schools have been advised to take out insurance by themselves.
The total amount of funds approved for the replacement of stolen standard items since the 1992/93 school year is shown at the Appendix.
The Education Department has advised all schools to strengthen their security. Schools may also apply to the Education Department for funds to install anti-theft measures such as window bars and iron gates.