Speaking Notes -
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EDUCATION
Some members, e.g. Mr. Rankin and Mr. Johnson may expect the
Secretary of State to say something about education; they will point out
that the educational system is neither free nor compulsory. The aim of
L providing a free primary education system for all who desire it has long
been long Long Government policy. For practical reasons arising from
the enormous numbers of people entering the Colony from China up to
1963, it has not been capable of achievement. The Government's present
policy is the more limited one of providing a Government subsidised
place in Government-aided primary schools for all children of the
appropriate age by 1971. This may seem a limited aim but in fact it
will call for a large expenditure on school buildings and teacher training
Rducation
to provide the facilities by 1971. In secondary fiel the Governments
15
aim, to provide subsidised places for between 15% and 20% of the total
h
number of pupils completing primary courses. Again, this might seem a
modest aim but it is necessary to remember that it will entail doubling
which
the number of places exist at present by 1971 2.Hong Kong is not
Stat
ch
alone in facing an explosion in the school popul: tion but no other
Colony or country has had to face a situation in which the potential so
population has doubled in the recent past in so short a period as 7
years. In these circumstances it is not difficult to understand the
Hong Kong Government's decision to pply the available financial
resources to the expansion of educational facilities rather than to
reductions in school fees; and, on the whole, this policy would appear to
be in accordance with the wishes of the community. As the Director
of Dducation said recently there is very little evilence that the present
between 12/6 and 63 rate of school fees which are very low, not moro (14
A year in the
primary schools is a cause of hardship or a reason for parents not
sending their children to school. There is provision for the remission
of school fees where they would cause undue hardship to a family but at
the pre nt time not 11 the funds available for such remissions are
3. being taken up. The Hong Long educational system is improving rapidly
bot in quality and extent. It is of course still a good way behind the
system in England but far ahead of those in other Asian countries, with which it might are appropriately be comparel.
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