TNAG-0052-FCO40-88-Communist-activities-in-schools-1968 — Page 114

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(c)

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The Communist press made grandiose claims of 'persecution' as a result of the inspections. Communist press coverage seemed designed to arouse 'righteous indignation' from sympathisers and to cast the Government as 'humiliated' in its attempts to suppress 'patriotic education'.

Considerations

(a)

(b)

(c)

(a)

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Internal Factors

Within Communist-controlled schools

There is evidence of sustained and intense communist and subversive indoctrination. On the 8th November an

'Education Circles Anti-Persecution Struggle Committee' announced 17 Principles to be followed in communist schools (See Appendix C). Apart from calling for the study and propagation of Chairman Mao Tse Tung's ideas, these principles called for support for the communist cause in the local confrontation, unity with the masses and the implementation of a reform in education similar to that now underway in China. One Special Branch report indicates that one school is devoting almost half its instructional periods to political studies with a view to maintaining a 'revolutionary fervour'.

Non-Communist secondary schools have been having trouble from pupils caught up in a revolutionary fervour e.g. Belilios School, Queen's College. The extent of this communist penetration within other schools is uncertain, mainly because of Headmasters' reluctance to report incidents to the Education Department. The Director of Education is currently investigating schools more deeply.

Non-Communist primary schools have had less trouble with the marked exception of schools in the Sai Kung area.

The extra-mural activities of pupils, particularly from the communist-controlled secondary schools, are a clear indication of the effects of class-room indoctrination. There is little doubt that unless further restraint is applied to prevent pupils from subversive indoctrination, activities such as those described below will continue and have a cumulatively erosive effect on the public's morale, and confidence in Government's willingness to be firm, as well as the operations of the security forces.

The offences or alleged offences among students since 1 September 1967: -

(i) Nine Communist-Controlled Schools Pupils

Arrests

Convictions

Pending

Acquitted

112

37

65

10

Types of offences :

Possession of offensive weapons Possession of real or fake bombs

1

10

Possession of inflammatory posters 31 Uttering inflammatory speach

3

Forming part of intimidating

assembly

61

Obstructing or assaulting the

police

Breach of public order

~4

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