XN000022-1995-04-07 — Page 12

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"If the first priority in the early 70s was to ensure 100 per cent provision for all school age children, we have reached a stage in recent years when our focus is on qualitative improvements in the provision of the best possible education for our children," Miss Chung said.

She said in terms of education expenditure as a percentage of total government spending, Hong Kong was consistently among the top 15 in the world and among the top three in Asia according to the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund Year Book.

"At the beginning of the decade in 1989-90, the Education Department had an allocation of $7.7 billion. Today our budget has more than doubled and stands at $16.7 billion.

"While the school student population indicates a downward trend, our spending for 1995-96 will increase by $609.3 million or 3.8 per cent in real terms over last year, resulting in an even higher growth in funding allocation on a per student basis," she said.

She said the increase in the education budget reflected the Government's continued determination to invest in the future of children in Hong Kong and to bring out the best of all children, whatever their abilities and interests.

On improving the quality of education, Miss Chung said: "We have 70 per cent graduate teachers in all secondary schools. We are working towards the goal of 35 per cent of graduate teachers in all primary schools by 2007."

In addition, she said, the Education Department wanted to increase the number of whole day primary schools, reduce class size and improve teacher to student ratios.

Turning to new spending initiatives for 1995-96, Miss Chung said these included increasing the number of teachers and upgrading teacher posts in primary and secondary schools, providing additional facilities at a cost of $613 million under the School Improvement Programme, running special courses for immigrant children, implementing Target Oriented Curriculum in 76 schools and promoting the image of

teachers.

She said another $340 million would be spent on building three more practical schools and seven skills opportunity schools.

End/Friday, April 7, 1995