TNAG-0658-FCO40-807-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-1977 — Page 52

2.

Appendix III

Appendix IV

of the Department. Accordingly, ther is attached a paper which out- lines the opportunities which exist for suitably qualified staff in other Government Departments.

10.

What individual teachers need to start thinking about now is where their preferences lie. There are three basic options open

to them:

(b)

(a) to continue where they are now, in the knowledge that

they may be retired in the public interest in 1980;

to apply for another post in the Education Department or elsewhere in the Government retaining their exist-

ing salary scale if this is to their advantage; (c) to apply to be retired in the public interest before

1980.

Whatever the choice, it must be subject to the public interest and selection based on willingness to serve and suitability.

Attached is a paper which illustrates the position with hypothetical examples of teachers retiring or being retired in the public interest.

11.

I hope you will find this statement of help and I welcome your comments. The Government decision is not in question but the implications of that decision are open to consultation. In the last analysis this will be a matter of individual choice and I shall

address all Certificated Masters ans Mistresses on the Government

Primary School establishment to inform them of the position.

12.

Because of the likely reduction in the number of primary classes and therefore schools, it is probable that some Assistant Masters/Mistresses and Senior Assistant Masters/Mistresses employed in these schools will have to be posted to other AM/SAM duties in the Education Department for which they are considered suitable. However, if any of these officers prefer to retire voluntarily, their applications will be sympathetically considered. Retirement will be approved up to the total number of posts which can properly be abolished and these retiring officers will receive additional

pension benefits in the same manner as Certificated Masters/

Mistresses.

(Date: 6th July, 1977.)