XN000022-1974-02-05 — Page 2

Tuesday, February 5, 1974

GOVERNOR PRAISES TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS

For Its Role In Social And Educational Services

The government has relied heavily on the co-operation and support

of voluntary organisations to provide social and educational services for

Hong Kong, the Governor said today.

Speaking at the opening of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Lee

Ching Dea Memorial College, Sir Murray MacLehose said: "The Tung Wah Group

of Hospitals has always been one of the leaders in this voluntary partnership

with the Government."

He praised the important role it played in education and in

providing medical care for the needy for over a hundred years.

"Its seven primary and four secondary schools with over 12,000

pupils represent a fine contribution, and it has plans for a further three

secondary schools," the Governor said.

י

Sir Murray pointed out that the targets for post-primary education

set for 1976 were now well on the way to achievement and plans for the next

stage were being formulated.

"The aim as you know is to ensure that all in the 12-14 age group

receive a minimum of three years' secondary education, and that 40 per cent

of the 12-16 age group will secure places in five-year courses, "he said.

+

The liveliness of the public debate on this high expansion of secondary

education stimulated by the Education Board's Green Paper, he added, had been

refreshing, and showed how valuable this method of public consultation could be.

Sir Murray asked the young people, who benefit from the expanding

educational facilities, not to forget their responsibility to the people of

Hong Kong, who had played a very substantial part in the provision of secondary

education.