TNAG-0220-FCO40-256-Constitutional-development-of-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 16

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Friday, July 24, 1970

(iv) The extra school places to be found in Forms I-III

under this new policy will be provided either directly in Government or Aided schools, or in private non- profit schools which will be assisted for the purpose, or by buying places in suitable private schools: whatever proportion appears the most suitable and economic."

in

In announcing this the Director of Education, Mr. J. Canning,

recalled that in the Budget Debate in March this year he referred to the

fact that existing immediate aims in educational development, both primary

and post-primary, had largely been achieved and that careful consideration

was being given to formulating new aims in the field of post-primary education.

"It is now clear that by 1971 it will be possible to offer an

"The aided primary education to all who desire it," Mr. Canning said. time has therefore come to open up additional opportunities at the post-

primary level."

"The new aim will be achieved progressively, and the first stage

will be to provide three years of aided post-primary education for 50 per

cent of the 12-14 year age group by 1976. This will mean that the number

of aided places in Forms I-III in the post-primary schools will have to

be greatly increased.

There are already approximately 62,000 aided places

at this level, and it is now the intention to increase this by an additional

101,600 places by 1976. This will give a total of 163,600 aided places in

Forms I-III, which is equivalent to half the estimated number of children

in the 12-14 year age group in 1976."

2

/"In addition,