TNAG-0052-FCO40-88-Communist-activities-in-schools-1968 — Page 113

6.}. 316

0003160 G.I

1.

SECRET

THE CONFRONTATION WITH COMMUNISTS

Purpose of this Paper

IN SCHOOLS

To assess possible new objectives and stronger courses of action in the light of developments since July 1967.

2.

Present Policy

(a)

(b)

3.

To eliminate overt political and subversive activities.

Adopted on 31st July 1967 as a result of a Secretariat Paper (See Appendix A).

Recent Action

(a)

(b)

(c)

On the 17th August 1967 the Director of Education sent a letter (see Appendix B) to nine communist-controlled schools setting out conditions with which the recipients were 'expected' to comply. Proposals as to what action would be taken according to varying degrees of non- compliance with the conditions were drawn up (See Appendix C).

No

Previously-notified inspections of the nine schools which had received the Director of Education's letter were carried out by specially-selected Education Officers. significant breaches of the Director's conditions were noted. The inspections passed without disturbances. The reactions of the various school staffs ranged from perfunctorily polite to coldly hostile. Except in the case of the Hon Wah School, the reactions of the pupils was fairly normal.

After the detention of a Chung Wah Middle School pupil who had been injured whilst handling an explosive device, the police carried out a snap raid on the Chung Wah School on the 16th October. Large amounts of inflammatory literature were found stored or displayed on the premises; the contents of students' essays and diaries indicated that considerable subversive activity had occurred in the school. The Director of Education recommended closure of the school (this is consistent with Para C(i) of Appendix C), but it was decided to arrest and prosecute the Supervisor. now confirmed earlier advice that no case can be made against the Sunocor.

Hon A.G. has

Effect of Recent Action

(a)

(b)

Those schools which have been inspected have felt the authority of Government. They have shown a preparedness to comply with the Director of Education's conditions during inspections in order not to evoke stronger Government

measures.

The raid on the Chung Wah School shows that extensive breaches of the Director of Education's conditions took place in the absence of the inspection team.

SECRET