TNAG-0251-FCO40-287-Education-policy-of-government-of-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 4

CYPHER/CAT A

ICRITY GOVERNOR HONG KONG

TELEGRAM NUMBER 820

RESTRICTED 05/0433Z

RESTRICTED

TO F.C.O. LONDON

5 DECEMBER 1979

ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, LONDON TELEGRAM

NUMBER 822 OF 5 DECEMBER 1973.

YOUR TELEGRAM 781 : PRIMARY EDUCATION.

39)

DETAILED PROPOSALS FOR INTRODUCING LEGISLATION DEALING WITH

PARENTS WHO APPEAR TO BE UNNECESSARILY WITHOLDING CHILDREN FROM

PRIMARY SCHOOL ARE NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION. THE PROPOSALS ARE

THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO MAKE AN ORDER

ON THE PARENTS REQUIRING THEM TO SECURE THE ATTENDANCE OF THEIR

CHILD AT A DESIGNATED PRIMARY SCHOOL.

2. WHERE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IS SATISFIED THAT THERE IS A

FREE PLACE IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL CLOSE TO THE CHILD'S HOME, HE WOULD

CONSIDER WHETHER ACCOUNT OF SOME REASON PERSONAL TO THE CHILD OR

RELATED TO THE FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES THE CHILD WOULD NOE BENEFIT

FROM AN CRDER BEING MADE. THE PARENTS WOULD HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS. WHERE AN ORDER WAS MADE NON-COMPLIANCE WOULD BE AN

OFFENCE. THERE WOULD HOWEVER BE A RIGHT OF APPEAL AGAINST THE MAKING OF THE ORDER: AND ORDERS COULD BE REVIEWED AT THE REQUEST

CF THE PARENTS OR ON THE INIATIVE OF THE DIRECTOR.

3. WHERE A CHILD IS BEING WITHELD FROM SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE FAMILY'S. FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, I HAVE IN MIND THAT CASH GRANTS UNDER THE NEW PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, COUPLED WITH THE ABOLITION OF FEES IN THE GENERALITY OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS, WILL ALLEVIATE THE HARDSHIP TO AN EXTENT SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO REACH A

DECISION ON EDUCATIONAL GROUNDS.

SIR H. NORMAN-WALKER

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

HONG KONG D

C

ник 911

COPIES TO:

U.N.D. (4)

LASY. PAPER

RESTRICTED

J