TNAG-0251-FCO40-287-Education-policy-of-government-of-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 63

K.271

PL.P.A

1 P.R.H. 7

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT

INFORMATION SERVICES

DAILY INFORMATION

BULLETIN

Wednesday, August 5, 1970

24

RECEIVED IN

[REGISTRY No.51

19 A

AKE 9/1

ENORMOUS MAGNITUDE OF NEW EDUCATION POLICY

Mr. Canning Defines The Target For 1976

*******

The Government's aim progressively to make available with its

assistance by 1976 at least three years of post-primary education to all

children between 12 and 14 seeking it was a task of "enormous magnitude,

Mr. J. Canning, Director of Education, said today.

₤17.187 m.

He told the Legislative Council the financial implications of

achieving such a target were estimated at $250 million for capital expenditure, and an increase in recurrent costs of secondary education by $63 million, 14.3

so that by 1976 the annual cost of secondary education would be more than

$134 million compared with about $72 million being spent today.

Apart from the very considerable sums of money involved, sites

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

for the new aided schools, and teachers to staff them.

"I believe it is within the capacity of the community to achieve

these aims, but the task is a formidable one," he said.

On fees in government and aided primary schools that had been

progressively reduced for some time, Mr. Canning said it was possible to

consider their further reduction or elimination now that the post-primary

policy had been settled.

'331 m.

The implications