XN000022-1982-10-28 — Page 14

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1982

* THE PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD CONTINUE THEIR

RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF SUCCESS BY INVESTING WISELY AND VIGOROUSLY IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.

TURNING TO THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION SYSTEM, MR CHEONG SAID PARENTAL CHOICE IS HARDLY LIKELY TO BE SATISFIED IN THE SO-CALLED +POPULAR PRIMARY SCHOOLS+ WHERE THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS FOR PLACES FAR EXCEEDS THE NUMBER OF DISCRETIONARY PLACES AVAILABLE.

HE EXPRESSED DOUBT THAT THE SCHEME IS LIKELY TO MEET THE OBJECT OF MINIMISING PRESSURES UPON YOUNG CHILDREN.

+WHILE I DO NOT DOUBT THAT THE ALLOCATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN WORKED OUT AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF CARE, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WOULD EFFECTIVELY RESOLVE THE PROBLEM,+ MR CHEONG ARGUED.

+IN MY VIEW, THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE RESOLVED UNLESS PARENTS ARE GIVEN A REAL CHOICE AS TO THE TYPE OF EDUCATION THEY WANT TO GIVE THEIR CHILDREN.+

HE SUGGESTED THAT IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE POPULAR SCHOOLS TO GO PRIVATE+ IF THEY ELECT TO DO SO, OR BE ONLY MINIMALLY SUBSIDISED.

THESE SCHOOLS COULD THEN CHARGE A FEE TO MEET EITHER THE FULL COSTS OR A SUBSTANTIAL PROPORTION OF THE TOTAL COSTS.

+THIS MUST HAVE THE EFFECT OF REDUCING THE EXCESS OF DEMAND OVER THE SUPPLY OF PLACES IN THESE SCHOOLS,+ MR CHEONG SAID.

+ABOVE ALL, THIS WOULD OFFER TO THE PARENTS A CHOICE AS TO WHAT TYPE OF EDUCATION THEY WOULD PREFER FOR THEIR OWN CHILDREN.

+AFTER ALL, IS IT RIGHT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE AWAY THAT BASIC RIGHTS OF PARENTAL CHOICE?+ HE ASKED.

MR CHEONG ENVISAGED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WOULD OBJECT TO THIS SUGGESTION.

HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT HE WAS MERELY REFLECTING THE CONCERN OF THOSE LOCALLY-DOMICILED PARENTS WHO, IF THEY WERE UNABLE TO SECURE ENTRY FOR THEIR CHILDREN INTO SCHOOLS THEY PREFER, WOULD FEEL THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SEND THEM ABROAD AT MUCH GREATER EXPENSE BOTH FINANCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY,

+1 AM CONFIDENT THAT THEY ARE PREPARED TO MEET THE FULL COST OF THIS EDUCATION PROVIDED THE SCHOOLS THEY PREFER REMAIN TRULY FREE IN SELECTING THEIR PUPILS.

+A GREATER NUMBER OF THESE PARENTS ARE AT A LOSS TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE GOVERNMENT INSISTS ON NON-INTERVENTIONISM IN THE ECONOMY, BUT CHOOSES TO BE HIGHLY INTERVENTIONISTIC IN EDUCATION.

+ THINK THEY ARE ENTITLED TO SOME CLEAR ANSWERS,+ MR CHEONG STATED.

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