XN000022-1980-06-20 — Page 4

FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1980

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GOVERNMENT ACTS ON SCHOOL INQUIRY RECOMMENDATIONS *****

THE GOVERNMENT HAS DRAFTED AMENDMENTS TO THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE TO IMPLEMENT TWO PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY.

THE PROPOSALS, CONTAINED IN THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 AND THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1980, WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY (JÚNE 25).

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY HAD CONSIDERED THAT SOME CONFUSION MIGHT HAVE ARISEN OVER THE EXACT NATURE OF THE ORDER SUSPENDING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE SCHOOL IN THE SUMMER OF 1978.

+BECAUSE OF THE WORDING OF THE ORDINANCE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN THOUGHT THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION HAD INTENDED TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL PERMANENTLY, EVEN THOUGH HE WOULD HAVE HAD TO CANCEL THE SCHOOL'S REGISTRATION TO DO SO, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

+TO REMOVE ANY DOUBT IN FUTURE, THE BILL STIPULATES CLEARLY THAT THE DIRECTOR WOULD BE EMPOWERED IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES TO SUSPEND THE ACTIVITIES OF A SCHOOL, WHILE THE AUTHORITY TO CLOSE A SCHOOL PERMANENTLY WOULD REST WITH THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL,✦ HE SAID.

THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY ALSO DREW ATTENTION TO CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE MANAGEMENT OF AIDED SCHOOLS, INCLUDING FINANCE.

A SUBSEQUENT REVIEW HAS SHOWN THAT THERE ARE INADEQUATE CONTROLS ON THE USE OF PROF ITS DERIVED FROM BUSINESS OR TRADING OPERATIONS IN THESE SCHOOLS.

THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE CONTROLS APPLICABLE TO ALL SCHOOLS RECEIVING PUBLIC FUNDS WHEREBY ANY SUPERVISOR OR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WOULD REQUIRE THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION BEFORE OPERATING A BUSINESS UNDERTAKING ON SCHOOL PREMISES.

PRIOR PERMISSION WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED BEFORE ANY ARRANGEMENT WAS MADE WITH OTHER PARTIES FOR THE SUPPLY OF FOOD, DRINKS, BOOKS, UNIFORMS OR OTHER ITEMS USED BY STUDENTS OR THE SCHOOL ITSELF.

THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT WOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE AUDITED ACCOUNTS AND DETAILS OF THE INTENDED DISPOSAL OF BUSINESS PROFITS. THE CONSENT OF THE DIRECTOR WOULD BE REQUIRED IF THE PROFITS WERE TO BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE NOT DIRECTLY BENEFITTING THE STUDENTS OF A SCHOOL.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID: +PERSONS ALREADY CARRYING OUT BUSINESS OR TRADING OPERATIONS IN SCHOOLS WILL BE GIVEN AMPLE NOTICE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF THE REGULATIONS WHICH WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.+

THE GOVERNMENT