XN000022-1978-07-13 — Page 2

THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1978

GO-AHEAD FOR ABOLITION OF TUITION FEES

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THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE ABOLITION OF TUITION FEES FOR ALL PRIMARY 6 LEAVERS WHO HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED A FORM 1 PLACE THROUGH THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION (SSPA) SYSTEM.

AS A RESULT, ALL FORM 1 TO 3 PUPILS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED TO PAY TUITION FEES FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1978. THIS APPLIES EQUALLY TO PLACES IN GOVERNMENT, AIDED AND PRIVATE NON- PROF IT-MAKING SCHOOLS AND TO BOUGHT PLACES IN PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS.

ARE:

ONLY THREE TYPES OF PUPILS WILL CONTINUE TO PAY FEES. THEY

*

*

FORM 2 AND 3 PUPILS IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS WHO ARE NOT OCCUPYING BOUGHT PLACES-

PUPILS WHO, HAVING ATTENDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS NOT TAKING PART IN THE SSPA SYSTEM, ARE PROCEEDING TO INDEPENDENT PRIVATE SCHOOLS OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC SECTOR- AND

* PUPILS ATTENDING ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOLS, WHICH HAVE

A DIFFERENT MODE OF FINANCING.

THE ABOLITION OF FEES WILL COST THE GOVERNMENT AN ESTIMATED $39.1 MILLION IN THE 1978-9 FINANCIAL YEAR, RISING TO $73.3 MILLION IN 1982-3.

BECAUSE OF THE APPROACHING RECESS IN THE CURRENT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAVE DEFERRED UNTIL THE NEXT SESSION A DECISION ON TONG FAI OR SIMILAR CHARGES FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS.

THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL INFORM ALL SCHOOLS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS ABOUT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS RESULTING FROM THE ABOLITION OF TUITION FEES.

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