TNAG-0473-FCO40-538-Hong-Kong-government-policy-on-education-1974 — Page 221

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3.19

The estimate of costs for 1983 in Table III assumes

that the completion of the projected school building programmes will by that time have made it possible to phase

out the flotation/extended day system, which is an essential

element in the early years of the new secondary pattern.

Phasing out of this system will have to be postponed if

financial or other difficulties delay completion of the

building programme. The projected costs shown for 1983 are

lower than those for 1979 because census projections indicate

that there will be fewer children in the relevant age groups

in 1983.

3.20

The figures in the preceding paragraphs indicate

the cost of the proposals set out in this Paper at mid-1974

prices. It should be emphasised that no allowance has been

included for inflation, nor for the recent salary increases

Recurrent approved for the public service and aided schools.

expenditure is estimated to rise from $359,807,000 for the

school year commencing September 1975 to $550,041,000 for the school year commencing September 1979, making a total of

$2,259,906,000 over the 5 year period; this compares with a corresponding total figure of $1,819,247,000 which would have been incurred had existing policy continued unchanged

i.e. about a further $440 million. In addition, a total

Government capital contribution of $719,001,000 will be

required for the ten year period September 1974 to

September 1983 (see Table II). These are very substantial

figures, and must be viewed against the background of escalating pressures from other social and community needs on

our financial resources. The Government will make every

effort to fulfil the ambitious educational targets set out

/in.