XN000022-1972-03-15 — Page 27

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Wednesday, March 15, 1972

He pointed out that the surveys were made in 1967-69 and that any

person who had some knowledge of Hong Kong industry would realise that any

move to update the statistics would ultimately show a greater need for technical

institutes due to the increase both in size and in sophistication of local

industry in recent years.

Citing the Morrison Hill Technical Institute, Dr. Chung said "It is

bursting along its seams."

"I am informed that factories are holding up their modern industrial

training schemes because the Technical Institute could not provide places for

technical education running parallel with industrial training."

Qualified Teachers

Even when the next two technical institutes would be ready by 1975 or

1976, there was no guarantee that there would be sufficient qualified teachers

to mount the courses,

"The shortage of technical teachers was brought to Government's attention

more than five years ago and so far Government has no plan to overcome this

important shortcoming. In fact, many people doubt whether Government has made

any serious attempt to solve this cogent problem," he added.

Hong Kong depended heavily on its manufacturing industry which played

a leading role in providing 42 per cent of the Colony's total employment and

contributed 43 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product.

"No other industrial country in the world depends so heavily on its

manufacturing industry," he pointed out.

/Therefore,