XN000022-1984-03-29 — Page 22

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THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1984

BUT SHE EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE SUM EARMARKED FOR IN-SERVICE TRAINING WAS $110 000 LESS THAN LAST YEAR'S PROVISION.

WITH THE PREVAILING FINANCIAL STRINGENCY, SHE FELT THAT NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCAL EDUCATION SHOULD BE TAKEN STEP BY STEP.

SHE SAID TAHT THIS APPROACH WOULD BE BETTER THAN TRYING TO TACKLE ALL AREAS TOGETHER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT IMPROVEMENT IN EVERY AREA.

STRESSING THE NEED TO PROVIDE FURTHER TRAINING TO IN-SERVICE TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, SHE SAID, THE IMMEDIATE TASK IS TO RAISE THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF IN-SERVICE TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WITH A VIEW TO AROUSING AND PRESERVING THEIR ZEAL AND DEVOTION TOWARDS EDUCATION, TO THE BENEFIT OF OUR YOUNGER GENERATION.

+NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY DONE IN THIS RESPECT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS AND DEVOTE MORE RESOURCES IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE TEACHING STAFF AND PROMOTING THEIR INTEREST IN THE IR PROFESSION.+

SPECIAL TAX DEDUCTION FOR WORKING WIVES PROPOSED

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PART OF THE INCOME OF WORKING WIVES SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM TAXATION TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO WORK AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY, THE HON PAULINE NG SAID TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL BUDGET DEBATE, MRS NG EXPLAINED THAT WHEN WIVES ALSO GO OUT TO WORK, THEY HAVE TO EMPLOY OTHER PEOPLE TO DO THE HOUSEHOLD WORK AND TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN.

THE EXPENSES INCURRED FOR HOUSEHOLD WORK DONE, LIKE THE OVERHEAD EXPENSES OF A COMPANY, SHOULD BE DEDUCTED FROM THE IR TOTAL TAXABLE INCOME, SHE SAID.

+ THE AMOUNT OF SUCH ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY WHAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD AFFORD IN TERMS OF REDUCTION IN REVENUE.'

+ IF SUCH A MEASURE WERE ADOPTED, WORKING WIVES COULD ENJOY THE ALLOWANCE THEY DESERVE AND AT THE SAME TIME, MARRIED WOMEN WOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO GO OUT TO WORK AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY WITH THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE,+ SHE SAID.

ON THE SUBJECT OF MORAL EDUCATION, SHE SAID THAT IT HAD AROUSED POPULAR CONCERN AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE +GENERAL GUIDELINES ON MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS+ BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN SEPTEMBER, 1981.

/HAVING BEEN