XN000022-1972-03-15 — Page 4

Wednesday, March 15, 1972

Speaking on the subject of education, Sir Yuet-keung said it had

occupied, "quite rightly," an important place in Government thinking.

After years of urging by the Unofficial Members of Legislative Council,

it was only at the beginning of this year that primary education became free in

Government and aided schools.

Sir Yuet-keung said the position with regard to secondary education,

however, "still leaves much to be desired."

Secondary And Technical Education

According to the Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, the

revised policy for post-primary education provides for 18 per cent of children

in the 12-16 age group to have five years of assisted secondary education

leading to a Certificate of Education, while the Director of Education's Annual

Summary spoke of 18 to 20 per cent.

"In the light of the educational needs today, and our strong financial

position," Sir Yuet-keung continued, "we cannot feel satisfied with this low

target, particularly as neither the Estimates nor the Annual Summary of the

Director of Education give any indication that Government plans to revise it

upward in the next few years."

Government activity in the field of technical education, Sir Yuet-keung

said, also left much to be desired.

He referred to the 1971 report of the Industrial Training Advisory

Committee which expressed concern over Government's "lack of decision" on the

recommendation of the Functional Committee on Technical Institutes for the

setting up of four more technical institutes.

/He said: