Estimates-1956 — Page 23

18

6 posts of Education Officer (Woman), etc., were approved during the year. are required for the following purposes:-

The additional 6 posts

3 for Kowloon Junior and Peak Schools (from September, 1955)

1 for Hong Kong University Matriculation work at Belilios Public School

1 for Clementi Middle School

1 for expansion of Ho Tung Technical School.

5 posts of Assistant Mistress, etc., were approved during the year, the additional 9 posts being required as follows:

5 for expansion of Aberdeen Primary School to 2 sessions (from September, 1955)

1 for Hennessey Road Primary School

1 for Canton Road Police School

2 for Librarian duties at Northcote Training College and Education Department

Headquarters.

The 3 Laboratory Assistants are required for Queen's College, Un Long Public Middle School and Clementi Middle School in order that full use may be made of the laboratory facilities in these schools.

57.

The extra posts of 1 Executive Officer, 9 Clerks (including 4 for six weeks only), 1 Woman Confidential Assistant Class II and 2 Coolies were approved during the year. The additional 8 Clerks are required in order to deal with increasing volume of clerical work in the schools and at Headquarters. The 3 Laboratory Attendants are required for King's College, Ellis Kadoorie School and the Junior Technical School. 2 Office Attendants are required for the Technical College and Quarry Bay School in order to improve administrative efficiency.

58.

These changes in establishment, together with normal increments and salaries revision, account for the increase of $2,484,711 in the vote for Personal Emoluments.

59.

Under Other Charges, the steady expansion in educational activities is reflected in the extra provision included under a number of subheads, the principal increases being $135,000 for allowances for evening classes, $89,000 for allowances and bonuses for teachers in training $56,100 for stores and equipment, and $361,800 for students bursaries and maintenance grants. The latter item represents the continuation of a scheme approved during the year whereby bursaries are granted to suitable students to enable them to take a degree and a teachers train- ing course at the Hong Kong University, and maintenance grants are awarded to enable suitable students who have passed the school certificate to matriculate, with a view to subsequent train- ing as teachers.

60.

Special Expenditure includes $700,000 for equipment and furniture for new Govern- ment schools, of which $490,000 is a revote and $210,000 represents token provision for new primary schools which it is hoped to build as soon as possible. The provision of $32,100 for special equipment for matriculation courses includes a revote of $3,600. The remaining $28,500 is for additional equipment now found necessary in order to provide adequate courses for matri- culation students.

HEAD 11— FIRE BRIGADE

Estimate 1955/56

$3,419,500

Revised estimate 1954/55

2,742,000

Approved estimate 1954/55

2,856,916

Actual expenditure 1953/54

2,431,115

1954/55

Permanent staff

560

1955/56

576

Difference

+ 16