XN000022-1972-03-29 — Page 55

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Wednesday, March 29, 1972

However, he emphasised that the Now Territories were not being neglected by Government. "There are at this time of speaking 18 secondary government and aided schools in an advanced stage of planning for the New Territorios; work will commence at a new government secondary school at Sha Tin in April of this year and one of the two new technical institutes is to be located in the New Territories.

"Thus there is a total of 20 projects to cater for post-primary

It is, therefore, expected that

education needs in the New Territories.

by 1976, there will be in the New Territories a provision of post-primary places for 18.2 per cent of 12-16 years age group; that is to say within the aim set for Hong Kong as a whole," Mr. Canning said.

Assisted Places

He also pointed out that the New Territories had not been neglected with regard to the scheme to provide by 1976 three-year assisted places for 50 per cent of the 12-14 age group.

"A start has been made with the buying of places; more will be purchased in 1972, and plans are being prepared for new schools offering a three-year course of education."

Mr. Canning gave an assurance that Government in its planning would continue to be mindful of the needs of the young people in the New

Territories.

Clarifying one very important point, Mr. Canning said: "The present policy is to provide three years of aided post-primary education for all within the 12-14 years age group, and it is hoped to provide for 50 per cent of such people by 1976. No date for 100 per cent provision

has been fixed.

For my ....