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rose from 7,000 in January 1971 to over 13,500 at the end of
March 1972.
5.
Further improvements were announced in this year's budget in particular, a 60 per cent rise in the scales of assistance
and higher allowances for rent.
6.
The Government have recently prepared a comprehensive five-
The details are expected to be year plan for Social Welfare.
announced in Legislative Council at the beginning of the new
session in October.
EDUCATION
7.
Free primary education in Government and Government-aided schools (except English-language schools) was introduced on 1 September 1971. A compulsory school attendance scheme has
also been introduced.
8.
New proposals for the expansion of Government assisted post-primary places were approved by the Government in May 1971. In general the aim of these proposals is progressively to make available, with Government assistance, at least 3 years of post-
14 age group and primary education to all children in the 12
to achieve, as a first stage, 50 per cent of the goal by 1976. The Teacher Training Programme is also to be expanded to provide 2,000 more qualified teachers by 1976.
FPS AT ENGLISH SCHOOLS
9.
In 1965 the Hong Kong Government decided to adopt a policy of parity of subsidy to English and Chinese-speaking primary
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