XN000022-1975-10-01 — Page 10

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1975

WONG CHUK HANG SCHOOL *****

A SCHOOL COMPLEX FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION IN VONG CHUT HANG IS UNLIKELY TO CFT OFF THE GROUND IN THE NEAR FUTURE U’LESS TETE IS A SUPSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE FUNDS VOTED TO SUBSIDISE SCHOOL PROJECTS.

THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE HON. F.K. LI, SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. MRS. JOYCE SYMONS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR. LI EXPLAINED: +THE LIMITED FUNDS LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE DURING THE NEXT THREE YEARS WILL HAVE TO BE EARMARKED FOR OTHER SCHOOL PROJECTS WHICH ARE ALREADY IN THE PIPE-LINE AND ARE AT A MORE ADVANCED STAGE.+

MR. LI RECALLED THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RECEIVED AN APPLICATION FROM THE HONG KONG JUVENILE CARE CENTRE IN 1973 FOR A GRANT OF LAND TO BUILD A SCHOOL COMPLEX WHICH COMPRISED A TEN-CLASSROOM SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR 200 SOCIALLY-DEPRIVED AND MALADJUSTED BOYS AND A DORMITORY FOR 150. A SITE WAS LATER FOUND IN WONG CHUK HANG AND EARMARKED FOR THIS PROJECT.

HE NOTED THAT AS CAPITAL SUBSIDY AND RECURRENT SUBVENTIONS TO SCHOOLS EXCLUDE BOARDING FACILITIES UNDER EXISTING POLICY, THE JUVENILE CARE CENTRE WAS ADVISED TO APPLY TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND.

HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED, THE APPLICATION WAS NOT APPROVED ON ACCOUNT OF THE PRESENT COMPETING CLAIMS ON THE LIMITED RESOURCES OF THE FUND.

NEVERTHELESS, MR. LI STRESSED, THE SCHOOL PROJECT MIGHT BE GIVEN A HIGHER PRIORITY IF THE SPONSOR WAS ABLE TO EMBARK ON THE DORMITORY PORTION WITH ITS OWN RESOURCES OR IF THE CENTRE REVISED ITS PLAN BY ABANDONING THE BOARDING FACILITIES.

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