TNAG-0251-FCO40-287-Education-policy-of-government-of-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 62

Wednesday, August 5, 1970

"The financial implications of achieving these targets by 1976

are estimated at $250 million for capital expenditure and an increase in recurrent costs of secondary education by $63 million so that by 1976 the

annual cost of secondary education will be more than $134 million as compared

with about $72 million at present.

"The Financo Committee of this Council has approved the financial

implications of achieving these new aims and a paper is at present being

prepared for submission to the Board of Education seeking the advice of the

Board on the proposals for implementing the new policy.

"I should like to emphasize at this point the enormous magnitude

of the task we have set ourselves.

Sites Have To Be Found

"Apart from the very considerable sums of money involved, sites

will have to be found for the new school buildings needed, sponsors, will

have to be found for the new aided schools and last, but most certainly

not least, teachers will have to be found to staff the new schools.

believe it is within the capacity of the community to achieve these aims

but the task is a formidable one.

I

"I said on an earlier occasion in this Council that any further

step towards the progressive reduction of fees in government and aided

primary schools which has been going on for some time would have to wait

until the post-primary policy had been settled.

"Now that the Finance Committee of this Council is aware of the

order of costs involved in the post-primary expansion policy, it is possible

to consider further the reduction or possible elimination of primary school

fees in government and aided schools, The implications of this are now being

examined and I shall submit detailed recommendations through the usual channels

as soon as possible.

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