XN000022-1995-06-14 — Page 19

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This does not mean that we should rest on our laurels in our Hong Kong style, we never do. As with the development and expansion of any of our services, we must be on the constant alert to problems that may arise and tackle them robustly so that we can move forward to the next stage of development. In this regard, I agree fully with Members that the current difficulties in recruiting and retaining paramedical and other specialist staff for our special schools are adversely affecting the quality of our service and must be dealt with. I also share the concern, too, that it is high time we should have a fresh look at the standards of provision including our teaching and non- teaching staff as well as the question of class size in our special schools although I would hasten to add that our average pupil to teacher ratio at 5.7 to 1 compares favourably with some advanced countries such as the United Kingdom which happens to have the same ratio. For these reasons, the Administration had asked in mid 1994 the Board of Education to conduct a comprehensive review on special educational services to advise on further development both in the short and longer term. The Board subsequently appointed a Sub-committee to undertake this review. This Sub- committee commenced work in October last year and expects to complete its task by the end of 1995. Separately, a Working Group on Allied Health Personnel has been established under the Health and Welfare Branch to look into the question of shortages of paramedical and other allied health professionals and to propose solutions. I know that this Working Group has selected, as a matter of priority, physiotherapists and occupational therapists as their next targets for examination.

Thus, while I fully share the sentiments and the concerns of Members on the need for further improving our special educational services, it would be presumptuous of me to pre-empt the recommendations of the Board of Education's Sub-Committee and indeed the Board's own considerations of such recommendations by seeking priority funding at this stage to undertake the areas of improvements as set out in the motion. Such action may not adequately reflect the valuable advice which the Working Group on Allied Health Personnel may subsequently tender. Furthermore, to do so would not only do injustice to the Board of Education as a whole, but may be misconstrued by an outsider if not by the Honourable Member himself - as a sign of disrespect to the Honourable Tik Chi-yuen in his capacity as a member of the Board's Sub-Committee. What I can do is to assure Members that I will accord priority to the examination of the Board of Education's recommendations as and when these are received and to seek funding support for the proposals on the basis of their merits. For the reasons already stated, Mr President, the Administration is unable to support the motion and will abstain from voting.

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End/Wednesday, June 14, 1995