XN000022-1973-02-28 — Page 15

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Wednesday, February 28, 1973

EXPANSION OF EDUCATION

Four more technical institutes are to be built in Hong Kong and

the capacity of the Polytechnic will be expanded to meet the approved targets.

This was stated by the Financial Secretary, the Hon. C.P. Haddon-

Cave, when outlining future spending on education during his Budget speech.

A further revision for the targets for secondary education, he added,

was also being considered.

Expenditure involved in a revised programme of secondary education

had not yet been determined, he said, but he tentatively estimated that

to achieve places for all in the 12-14 age group and for 40 per cent in the

15-16 age group would involve additional spending of $500 million.

When fully realised, he added, a further $130 million at present

day prices would have to be added to the annually recurrent bill for education.

He noted that in 1962/63 spending on education represented 14 per

cent of total expenditure. By 1972/73, the proportion had increased to

19 per cent and was estimated to remain at that level for 1973/74.

"The factors contributing to this startling change are universal

and free primary education, and the establishment of a second university and

of the Polytechnic," he explained.

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