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As regards part (a) of the question, there are 104 rural primary schools in the 1995/96 school year.
As regards part (b) of the question, a total of 30 rural primary schools were closed in the past three years, broken down as follows:
Year
1993
1994
1995
No of rural primary schools closed
7
11
12
All these schools had less than 6 operating classes at the time of their closure. We intend to close another 7 rural schools of similar sizes in 1996, representing 6.7% of all rural primary schools in the territory.
As regards part (c) of the question, the reason for the closure of these schools is set out in the opening paragraph of this reply.
As regards part (d) of the question, when a rural primary school is closed, arrangements will be made for the affected pupils to continue their studies in a larger school or schools nearby. Wherever possible, they are placed in standard schools which have better environment and facilities. Alternative employment in other aided schools will also be arranged for the staff affected through a placement service of the Education Department.
As regards part (e) of the question, the current policy on rural primary schools is laid down in the White Paper on Primary Education and Pre-primary Services published in 1981 referred to in the opening paragraph. This includes the establishment of new central primary schools to replace smaller rural primary schools in the vicinity. Between 1984 and 1995, we have built four central primary schools - two in Sai Kung, one in Sha Tau Kok and one in Hang Hau- replacing a total of 23 smaller rural schools. Furthermore, we have encouraged rural primary schools to adopt the Activity Approach in teaching, under which they will receive enhanced recurrent and non-recurrent grants, and to convert from bi-sessional to whole day operation, under which they will receive an enhanced class grant. At present, 65 of the existing 104 rural primary schools already operate on a whole-day basis. The Education Department will continue to encourage rural primary schools to convert to whole-day operation wherever possible, taking into account factors like the demand and supply of school places in the area, and the views of the teachers and parents.
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