XN000022-1972-08-15 — Page 1

P.R.H. 7 (REVISED) 4000001

HONG RONE

DAILY

INFORMATION SERVICES

INFORMATION BULLETIN

Tuesday, August 15, 1972

CHILD DEVELOPMENT SURVEY TO CONTINUE

A Child Development Survey undertaken by the Paediatric Department of

the University of Hong Kong is to be extended for another three years with a grant

of $422,200 from the Lotteries Fund.

The survey was launched in 1967, and at that time was financed by private

donations. It involved 729 new born Chinese babies.

In 1970, the survey was extended for two years with a grant of over

$300,000 from the Lotteries Fund in order to include children between the ages of

three to five.

The data included in the survey indicates that there is a close

correlation between prolonged malnutrition and later physical growth and

intellectual development.

In view of this, it has been proposed that the survey be further extended

for another three years to inelude children between the ages of five and eight.

The purpose of this extension is to examine more closely the effect of malnutrition

and child-rearing practises on general scholastie performance.

It will give a two-year assessment period after children have commenced

primary school, as one year would not be sufficient to produce conclusive resulta,

The longer time will also allow the inclusion of assessment of handicapped children.

The extension will produse much more valuable results both for the

Government and for all organisations conserned with child welfare in Hong Kong.

At will