XN000022-1975-01-22 — Page 22

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1975.

NO INCREASE OF TRIAD INFLUENCE IN SCHOOLS

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THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, THE HON. KENNETH TOPLEY

TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY THAT +THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF INCREASING TRIAD INFLUENCE IN SCHOOLS="NOR IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE OF PLANNED INFILTRATION.◊

MR. TOPLEY HADE THIS ASSESSMENT IN CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.

HE WAS REPLYING TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE HON. MISS KO STU-WAH WHO ASKED.

(A) DOES GOVERNMENT AGREE THAT THERE IS AN INCREASINGLY SERIOUS INFLUENCE OF TRIAD SOCIETIES IN SCHOOLS? (B) IF SO, WHAT INSTRUCTION OR ASSISTANCE WILL GOVERNMENT

GIVE TO SCHOOLS TO HELP TACKLE THE PROBLEM.

THE DIRECTOR SAID: LAST YEAR ONLY EIGHT REPORTS FROM SCHOOLS COMPLAINING OF SUSPECTED TRIAD ACTIVITIES WERE RECEIVED BY THE POLICE, DESIDES, OF THE TOTAL OF 1,610 PEOPLE UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE ARRESTED FOR TRIAD OFFENCES IN 1974, ONLY 120 WERE STUDENTS. WHEN COMPARED WITH THE ONE MILLION CHILDREN IN THE 12-21 AGE GROUP, THE PERCENTAGE IS VERY SMALL INDEED.

+AS INDICATED ON AUGUST 14 LAST YEAR BY MY HON, COLLEAGUE THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, IN MOST OF THOSE CASES INVESTIGATED BY THE POLICE IT HAS ESTABLISHED THAT THE STUDENTS HAD JOINED TRIAD SOCIETIES OR GROUPS PROFESSING TO ES TRIADS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WHERE THEY LIVE AND OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS.+

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ADVISED SCHOOLS TO BE ON THE ALERT AT ALL TIMES AND TO CONTACT THE POLICE DIRECT IF THEY RECEIVE ANY REPORTS OF TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN THEIR SCHOOLS, SEPARATELY,

THE POLICE HAVE ARRANGED AND HELD MEETINGS WITH HEADMASTERS.

IN RESPONSE TO THE FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME CAMPAIGN, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PRODUCED A SPECIAL ETV PROSNAMME, ISSUED TEACHING MATERIALS, AND ASSISTED SCHOOLS IN ORGANISING EXHIBITIONS, FORUMS AND TALKS INCLUDING ADVICE ON COMDATING TRIAD ACTIVITIES.

+MOREOVER, MR. TOPLEY SAID, »A 'REACHING OUT' SCHEME OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK HAS BEEN INITIATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS TO HELP SCHOOLS SOLVE THEIR PUPILS' BEHAVIOUR PRODLEMS.+

HE CONCLUDED IN SHORT, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF INCREASING TREAD INFLUENCE IN SCHOLLS, THE GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED ABOUT ANY REPORTED ATTEMPT BY TRIADS TO INFILTRATE SCHOOLS. THE POLICE FORCE AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ARE KEEPING A VIGILANT EYE ON THIS PROBLEM,+