XN000022-1980-10-01 — Page 36

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1980

REPORT ON SUBSIDIES TO ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOLS

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THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE APPLICATION OF THE PARITY OF SUBSIDY PRINCIPLE TO THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOLS HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

THE COMMITTEE, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, SPENT SEVERAL MONTHS CARRYING OUT THIS REVIEW.

THE REVIEW HAD BEEN REQUESTED BY THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION (ESF) WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE JOINT COUNCIL OF THE PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS OF THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING SCHOOLS, DURING THE COURSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT ENGLISH SCHOOLS TO THE ESF FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1979.

THE COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY MR Q.W. LEE, GENERALLY ENDORSED THE TRANSFER ARRANGEMENTS AGREED BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ESF EXCEPT FOR A FEW MINOR CHANGES.

THESE CHANGES INCLUDE A NEW METHOD OF CALCULATING THE SALARY ELEMENT OF PER PUPIL GRANT TO THE ESF, TOGETHER WITH THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD IN FUTURE MEET THE ACTUAL CROWN RENT AND RATES FOR THE ESF SCHOOLS. THE EFFECT OF THESE CHANGES ON THE ACTUAL SUBSIDY TO THE ESF WILL BE MINOR.

THE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO ASKED TO PUT FORWARD SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE CAPITAL ASSISTANCE TO THE ESF.

ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CURRENT PRACTICE IN THE LOCAL AIDED SECTOR, ARE THAT, IN GENERAL FOR THE ESF PRIMARY SCHOOLS, A GRANT OF 80 PER CENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE ESF, WITH THE ESF CONTRIBUTING 20 PER CENT.

AND FOR THE ESF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. THE GOVERNMENT GRANT SHOULD BE 65 PER CENT, WITH THE ESF MEETING THE REMAINING 35 PER CENT.

LOANS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE ESF FOR IT TO MEET ITS CONTRIBUTION.

THE COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE ESF SHOULD BE GIVEN A SPECIFIC GRANT FOR THE RELIEF OF HARDSHIP CASES, CALCULATED AT 2 PER CENT OF THE ANNUAL PER CAPITA GRANTS FOR THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND AT 3 PER CENT FOR THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS, IN RESPECT OF PUPILS ENROLLED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1981. THERE WILL BE BRIDGING ARRANGEMENTS UNTIL THE PUPILS CURRENTLY ENROLLED HAVE LEFT THEIR EXISTING SCHOOLS.

THESE PROPOSALS WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE VOTING OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE MORMAL WAY.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

LIMITED COPIES OF THE COMMITTEE REPORT, IN ENGLISH, ARE AVAILABLE AND CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GIS DUTY OFFICER.

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