XN000022-1996-03-29 — Page 23

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He advised schools to draw up a contingency plan in advance to deal with the closure of schools or suspension of classes owing to rapidly deteriorating weather.

Schools should inform teachers, pupils and parents of all arrangements to be made in bad weather at the beginning of each school year, Mr Kwan said.

"However, in times of severe local weather affecting road conditions, landslides or unfavourable road traffic conditions, parents should use their discretion in deciding whether or not to send their children to school.

"Principals of kindergartens and schools should also exercise their discretion to close their schools when local weather or road conditions may endanger students' safety on their way to and from schools," he said.

He advised schools to make alternative arrangements regarding internal tests or examinations for pupils who could not return to school or were late for school because of bad weather or adverse road conditions.

Schools should also reassure parents that their children would not be penalised under such circumstances, he said..

Whenever the amber signal or No 3 signal is issued. the Education Department's Emergency Duty Team will be activated and will operate from 5 am on a school day.

End

Monetary Statistics for February 1996

According to statistics published today (Friday) by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, both total deposits and total loans and advances rose in February 1996.

Deposits

Growth in total deposits picked up to 1.4% in February from the 0.2% rise in January. The pick-up was due to an acceleration in FIK dollar deposit growth from 0.8% in January to 1.4% in February, coupled with a rebound in foreign currency deposits from the 0.5% fall to the 1.3% rise.