XN000022-1989-11-08 — Page 35

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1989

HE SAID THE COMMISSION WOULD TAKE AS A BASIS FOR THE FRAMEWORK STRATEGY WHICH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD ENDORSED AND WHICH WAS OUTLINED IN THE GOVERNOR'S POLICY SPEECH.

THE

"THIS FRAMEWORK WILL THIEN CONSTITUTE OUR MASTER-PLAN FOR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE 1990'S." HE SAID.

MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO SCHOOL SECTOR

THE BOLDNESS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S PLANS FOR TERTIARY EXPANSION MAY HAVE DRAWN ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS ΤΟ THE SCHOOL SECTOR. THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER. THE HON K.Y. YEUNG. TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

EXPANSION OF

NOTING THE CONCERN HAD BEEN EXPRESSED THAT THE TERTIARY EDUCATION COULD ONLY BE ACHIEVED AT THE EXPENSE OF EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOLS. MR YEUNG SAID: "THIS IS NOT THE CASE".

"OUR STRATEGY FOR THE 1990'S IS BASED ON TWO PREMISES. WHICH ARE THAT THE QUALITY OF OUR TERTIARY EDUCATION IS NOT IN DOUBT, BUT THE NUMBER OF PLACES AVAILABLE HAS FALLEN FAR SHORT OF SOCIETY'S DEMANDS: AND THAT THE NUMBER OF PLACES AVAILABLE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS ADEQUATE. BUT IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO ITS QUALITY. HE SAID.

MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT A HARD DECISION HAD TO BE TAKEN ABOUT PRIORITIES WHEN IT CAME ΤΟ THE QUESTION OF EXPANDING THE PUBLIC PROVISION OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE KINDERGARTENS.

"WE WILL IMPROVE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS BY PROVIDING REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRES AND COURSES AT MORE CONVENIENT HOURS.

KINDERGARTEN BY OPERATING

"WE WILL ALSO SEPARATE FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEM THE ASSISTANCE WE NOW GIVE TO NEEDY PARENTS. AND FROM SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR WE WILL INTRODUCE A SCHEME OF FEE REMISSIONS WHICH SHOULD BENEFIT TWICE AS MANY FAMILIES." HE SAID.

THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE NEW SCHEME. WHICH WAS WARMLY WELCOMED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. SHOULD ENABLE KINDERGARTENS TO INCREASE THEIR INCOME. AND HENCE ALLOW THEM TO EMPLOY BETTER QUALIFIED TEACHERS.

IN SECONDARY EDUCATION. MR YEUNG SAID ONE OF THE MAJOR DEFECTS ARISING FROM THE RAPID INTRODUCTION OF FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION WAS NOW BEING REMEDIED BY RAISING THE STANDARDS OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME.

IN

"A VIGOROUS