XN000022-1995-11-15 — Page 49

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Measures to solve student suicide problem

Following is a question by Dr the Hon John Tse and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

As the problem of students committing suicide in the territory has become serious in the recent years, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether the Government has provided any counselling and related supporting service to prevent students form committing suicide; if so, how many counsellors and supporting staff are engaged in such service and what training is given to them:

(b) what types of moral education courses does the Government provide to schools to complement this type of counselling service; and

(c) what long-term strategy and measures does the Government have to solve this problem?

Reply:

Mr President,

It should be emphasised that the causes of suicides committed by youngsters who are also students are multifaceted and often prove difficult to pin-point. Broadly such suicides are the tragic outcome of failure on the part of our youngsters to adjust themselves to the pressures of growing up, and to their changing environment. Pressure of school work or examinations may or may not feature in the whole process. It is important, therefore, that the problem should be addressed not only from the school point of view but also from the total environment of the youngsters including in particular their home which they look to as the major source of support, understanding and assistance outside school.