TNAG-0103-FCO40-139-Briefs-and-background-notes-for-Lord-Shepherd-1967 — Page 116

(a) The great increase in the child population through

immigration from China which in the 7 years, from 1954, effectively doubled the estimated number of school places required to provide universal primary education. This immense and quite unpredictable increase has made it impossible to meet all educational needs from the Government's resources, and in the foreseeable future it will be necessary to rely on private schools to provide places for a substantial and high proportion of scholars.

(b)

(c)

Government expenditure on education increased from £5.1 m. in 1958/59 to over £20 m. in the current estimates. Under the Hong Kong Government's programme this figure is likely to rise to about £26 m. by 1970. So great are the calls on public funds that the Hong Kong Government consider that any greater increase and expenditure on education could be achieved only at the expense of other necessary social services, such as housing, medical services and water supplies all of which will require much capital expenditure over the next 5 years to keep pace with the needs of the community.

The economy of Hong Kong is basically that of a free port which depends on low taxation policies to attract and retain outside capital for development. Given these circumstances the ability of the Government to raise revenue in order to provide free social services is limited and the policy adopted must necessarily be to provide free or subsidised services only to those members of the community who really need help.

Primary Education

18. Educational development in Hong Kong has been concentrated over

the past 10 years in providing primary school places for all the child

population. It has been successful to the extent that the total primary

day school enrolment is 99.8% of the children of primary school age;

but since many backward children remain in primary school for longer

than the normal period, it is thought that an appreciable number of

children within the primary age range do not in fact attend school.

In the White Paper it is recognised that although free primary

education for all who seck it has long been an aim of Hong Kong policy,

on practical grounds this is also incapable of early achievement.

interim target is to provide education at a moderate fee in Government

primary schools for all children aged 6 to 12 inclusive who wish to

attend Government or aided schools. The achievement of this target by

1970/71 will require the provision of a total of approximately 619,000

19.

The

RESTRICTED

/places