XN000022-1975-08-13 — Page 11

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1975.

MORE OUTLETS FOR YOUTH ENERGIES TO BE PROVIDED

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THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO ENCOURAGE AND EXTEND YOUTH ACTIVITIES 10 ENSURE THAT ENERGIES AND ACTIVITIES OF YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY SCHOLL DROP-OUTS IN THE VULNERALLE AGE GROUP OF 11-15, WILL NOT BE DIRECTED INTO CRIMINAL OR ANTI- SOCIAL FIELDS.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. PETER WILLIAMS, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HUN, HILTON CHEONG-LEEN.

MR. WILLIAMS POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT PROBLEMS IN THIS AREA WAS TO LOCATE AND IDENTIFY THOSE YOULG PEOPLE WHO HAD POTENTIAL BEHAVIOURAL PROLLEMS AND APPEARED TO DE SCHOOL DROP-OUTS.

HE SAID PILOT YOUTH GUIDANCE PROJECTS, UNDERTAKEN BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAD SUCCEEDED IN IDENTIFYING AND REACHING A FEW THOUSAND OF THIS TYPE OF YOUNGSTERS IN SIX SELECTED AREAS INCLUDING CHAI WAN, AND WONG TAI SIN.

HOWEVER, MR. WILLIAMS SAID THE BEST SOLUTION STILL WOULD BE THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE AIRMS OF THE 1974 EDUCATION WHITE PAPER WHICH WILL IN TIME ENSURE A SCHOOL PLACE FOR ALL CHILDREN IN THE 12 TO 14 YEAR AGE GROUP,

ON THE NUMBER OF PRIMARY SCHOOL DROP OUTS, HE SAID THE PRESENT ESTIMATED FIGURE VAS 8,650 OR ABOUT ONE PER CENT OF THE TOTAL PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PRIMARY SIX PUPILS WHO ARE NOT EXPECTED TO ENTER SECONDARY SCHOOL NEXT MONTH IS 26,000, REPRESENTING ABOUT 23 IL CENT OF THE TOTAL PRIMARY SIX EMOLNENT.

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