XN000022-1978-12-07 — Page 2

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1978

CHANGES PROPOSED IN MANAGEMENT OF ENGLISH-SPEAK ING

SCHOOLS ****

THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) NEW PROPOSALS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ENGLISH-SPEAK ING SCHOOLS. IT IS PROPOSED THAT FROM SEPTEMBER 1979 THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION WILL TAKE OVER THE DIRECTION OF ALL ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOLS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR INCLUDING THOSE AT PRESENT RUN BY THE GOVERNMENT.

ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR THE INITIAL SECONDMENT OF GOVERNMENT TEACHERS IN THESE SCHOOLS AND THE IR SUBSEQUENT EMPLOYMENT IF THEY ACCEPT CONTRACTS OFFERED BY THE ESF.

THESE NEW PROPOSALS STEM FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ALL ASPECTS OF THE SCHOOL ING FOR ENGLISH-SPEAK ING CHILDREN.

→THE MAIN CONCLUSION IS THAT THE TIME HAS COME FOR A BASIC CHANGE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SYSTEM. WE BELIEVE THAT THE SCHOOLS WILL WORK BETTER IF THEY ARE ALL UNDER ONE MASTER,+ A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

+IN THE COURSE OF THIS REVIEW IT HAS BEEN NECESSARY TO LOOK HARD AT THE FINANCING OF THESE SCHOOLS AND IN PARTICULAR AT THE LEVEL OF FEES. IT HAS BEEN CONCLUDED THAT THE MECHANISM DESIGNED TO GIVE EFFECT TO GOVERNMENT'S POLICY OF PARITY OF SUBS IDY WITH ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOLS HAS NOT WORKED SATISFACTORILY. AS A RESULT A NEW FORMULA HAS BEEN DEVISED. WHICH WILL ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT RISING COSTS. IF THESE PROPOSALS ARE FINALLY AGREED IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO RAISE FEES IN SEPTEMBER 1979 FROM $1,900 PER ANNUM TO ABOUT $3,500 PER ANNUM IN JUNIOR ENGLISH SCHOOLS AND FROM $3,040 PER ANNUM TO ABOUT $5,300 PER ANNUM IN THE ENGLISH SECONDARY SCHOOLS. THIS WILL BE A MATTER OF CONCERN TO PARENTS BUT EMPLOYERS MAY BE WILLING TO HELP IN SOME CASES AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL RE-EXAMINE THE LEVELS OF LOCAL EDUCATION ALLOWANCES PAID TO ITS OWN EMPLOYEES. ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE TO COVER FEE REMISSION FOR THOSE PARENTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE INCREASED FEES,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT FEES WOULD STILL NEED TO RISE TO LEVELS SIMILAR TO THOSE NOW PROPOSED EVEN WITHOUT CHANGES IN THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THESE SCHOOLS. FEES WERE LAST REVIEWED FOR ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOLS IN 1976.

AT PRESENT THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION RUNS TWO

SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHILE A THIRD SECONDARY SCHOOL AND FIVE PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE RUN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. THERE WILL NOW BE CONSULTATION WITH THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION, THE PARENT TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT STAFF AFFECTED BEFORE A FINAL DECISION IS MADE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, SUBJECT TO ACCEPTANCE OF FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IT IS HOPED THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1979, THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

THE FOUNDATION WILL HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL MEASURE OF FREEDOM UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO INTRODUCE IMPROVEMENTS IN STANDARDS AND FACILITIES TO MEET THE WISHES OF PARENTS.

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