XN000022-1988-06-01 — Page 17

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1988

16

CODES ENSURE SCHOOL GRANTS ARE SPENT AS INTENDED

* * * * *

WHICH SET OUT THE CONDITIONS GRANTS, IS TO ENSURE THAT

THE PURPOSE OF THE CODES OF AID, ON WHICH SCHOOLS MAY RECEIVE GOVERNMENT GRANTS ARE SPENT AS INTENDED, THAT IS. ΤΟ MAINTAIN EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON

BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY),

WAH,

HE SAID THIS WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SZETO WHO HAD ASKED WHETHER AIDED SCHOOLS HAD TO OBSERVE THE CODE OF AID AND, IN CASES OF CONTRAVENTION BY AIDED SCHOOLS, BE TAKEN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,

WHAT ACTIONS WOULD

ΤΟ BELIEVE THAT A A CODE OF AID IT

"IF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS REASON SCHOOL IS NOT COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF INVESTIGATES THE MATTER AND DISCUSSES IT WITH THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES.

"IF A SCHOOL PERSISTED IN DISREGARDING THE REQUIREMENTS, THE DEPARTMENT COULD REDUCE OR WITHDRAW ANY GRANT MADE TO THAT SCHOOL, BUT IN PRACTICE THIS HAS NEVER PROVED NECESSARY,' MR BRIDGE SAID.

IMPORTANCE OF STUDENT EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES RECOGNISED

THE GOVERNMENT

IN REVISING THE STUDENT TRAVEL SUBSIDY SCHEME, HAS RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROSANNA TAM, MR BRIDGE A PROVISION FOR FOUR ADDITIONAL TRIPS EACH WEEK WOULD BE INCLUDED THE NEW SCHEME TO ASSIST STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN SUCH ACTIVITIES.

THE

SAID IN

"THIS LEVEL OF PROVISION FOR ADDITIONAL TRIPS WAS CONSIDERED REASONABLE BY THE SIX SECONDARY SCHOOLS COUNCILS THAT WE CONSULTED," HE SAID.

"MANY EXTRA-CURRICULAR

NO

ACTIVITIES DO OF COURSE TAKE PLACE AFTER SCHOOL HOURS ON SCHOOL PREMISES, AND IN SUCH CASES ADDITIONAL TRAVEL IS INVOLVED.

"

RECOUNTING THE PROCESS OF REVISING THE SCHEME, MR BRIDGE SAID A MAJOR REVIEW WAS CONDUCTED IN 1985 AND 1986, FOLLOWING CRITICISMS OF THE SCHEME BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE AND THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT.

THE QUESTION