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Wednesday, March 29, 1972

For my part I would like to achieve 100 per cent provision

as oarly as possible, but I really must emphasise that the expansion

programme wo have set ourselves in the post-primary field under existing

approved policies is a tremendous one.

Mr. Canning said that consideration would be given to a suggestion

that public funds be made available to permit any child between the ages

of 6 and 15 years to attend a school registered with the Education

Department subject to it being established that the parents concerned

would need such financial assistance and that there was no aided place

available for the child.

Subsidized Special Schools

Turning to fees in subsidized special schools, Mr. Canning said:

"It is Government's aim to provide a free primary education for all.

Special schools have not yet been included in the present scheme, not

because there is any doubt about the merit of extending free primary

education to handicapped children, but because the financial arrangements

in these schools differ considerably from ordinary primary schools.

"Proposals to increase the level of subsidies for special

schools are now under consideration and I have recommended that if they

are approved they should take effect from September 1, 1971." This means

that the proposed new subsidies would be beckdated if approved.

Mr. Canning said it was his view that handicapped children

should be educated in ordinary schools provided that the degree of handicap

was not severe and that special facilities and staff were made available.

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