TNAG-0346-FCO40-382-Communist-threat-to-education-in-Hong-Kong-communist-schools-1972 — Page 12

28.

Both

Some indication has already been given of the system of political

control of communist schools, and the Party organ responsible or its representa-

tive, is undoubtedly in close command of everything that goes on. Usually overt

control is nominally in the hands of a school management committee, containing

if possible a few prominent names, good for prestige and large donations.

teachers and students belong to school societies run by committee 'elected' from

the more progressive elements. The students society, in particular, assumes

much of the task of maintaining discipline. There is usually a Parent-Teachers

Association.

Teachers

29.

Teachers in communist schools can be divided, in the broadest terms

between the older teachers, mostly products of the old Chinese education system

and the young teachers, almost all of whom are themselves products of the

schools in which they teach. Both groups tend to have minimal training as

teachers and, more often than not, are 'permitted' to teach by Education

Department, rather than registered as qualified teachers.

30.

Although many of the older staff may well only pay lip service to

communism there is little doubt about the zeal of the younger ones, who will

normally have come from a leftist family, have spent twelve years in a communist

school and returned to teach there immediately after graduation, knowing and

caring nothing about the world outside their circle. Academically, they will

have been among the best pupils from their schools, though their qualifications

will have stopped short at the Chinese Certificate of Education.

SECRET