CO129-603-2 Education Department- revised grant code 5-4-1948 - 6-1-1949 — Page 111

Regional Seminary,

Aberdeen,

Hong Kong

8th May 1948

(6)

The Acting Director, Education Department, Windsor House,

HONG KONG

Sir,

A meeting of the Grant Schools Council was held at the Catholic Centre on May 7th 1948 and in accordance with your letter of April 15th 1948 I have to report as follows :

After a statement by the Chairman setting out, for the information of the members of the Council, the events which led to the calling of this meeting. Bishop Hall, being called on, as suggested in your letter to "set out his suggested new Code" disclaimed any responsibility for this suggestion, saying that the suggestion was initiated

He therefore had no. not by him but by the Government. new Code to set forth. He agreed, however, that the süg- gestion was for a radical alteration of the present Code, replacing the present system of calculating the Grant by a Block Grant system which, while taking from the Grant Schools the financial security possessed under the present Code, would secure them the liberty which in his opinion they should have as private institutions.

After discussion the following resolutions were

adopted:

1. "That this Council is unanimously of the opinion that

nothing should be done which would undermine the present ability of Grant Schools to pay their teachers at the same rates as the teachers with equivalent qualifications in Government Schools. "

2.

"That the members of the Grant Schools Council, having heard of the proposal for a radical revision of the Code, are of opinion that such an experiment should not be undertaken in the present time of financial uncer- tainty, and are therefore in favour of retaining the present Code as amended,

This resolution was opposed by the Anglican Schools but was carried by a majority of twelve votes to six.

3.

"That the members of the Grant Schools Council wish to express their appreciation of the cooperation given by the Education Authorities, during and since the Military Government Administration, in dealing with difficulties arising out of the Code."

This resolution was moved by Bishop Hall, seconded

by Fr. Bourke, and aarried unanimously.

4.

Finally, the Council having heard that a proposal to increase school fees would be discussed at the next meeting of the Education Board, a resolution was pro- posed and carried, expressing the Council's opinion against such a proposal. The resolution was carried by a majority.