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Private tutorial schools under Government supervision
Following is a question by the Hon Cheung Man-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph W P Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Regarding the operation of private schools for specialised subjects or private tutorial centres ("private tutorial schools") and the safety facilities in the premises of these schools, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
of the number of complaints lodged with the Education Department in the 1995-96 school year regarding private tutorial schools operating without registration, and how such complaints were handled by the Education Department;
of the number of Inspectors of Schools deployed to inspect private tutorial schools periodically to check whether they have been registered, together with the number of schools found to be unregistered and the number of warning letters issued, in the corresponding period, as well as the reaction of the private tutorial schools concerned;
whether any prosecutions were instituted against unregistered private tutorial schools in the corresponding period; if so, of the number of successful prosecutions and the highest and lowest penalties imposed by the court;
how the authorities concerned ensure that the premises of private tutorial schools are in conformity with the provisions in the relevant legislation regarding fire escape, sanitary condition and enrolment limit, so as to protect the students' personal safety; and
whether consideration will be given to stepping up inspections and increasing the penalties prescribed in the relevant legislation so as to achieve a deterrent effect and protect the interest of the consumers?