TNAG-0735-FCO40-939-Policy-objective-for-the-developing-of-Hong-Kong-in-the-1980-1978 — Page 28

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Moreover, it is intended that, should Tong Fai be abolished, there would be a considerable increase in the Capitation Grant which would enable all aided schools to provide what they consider essential and desirable. It is proposed that the list of items chargeable to this grant should be expanded so that the "varying creative ability of school administrators and teaching staff" would find plenty of outlet, thus allowing for the continuation of the variety and diversity of schools which Miss Bennett regards, quite rightly, as important in Hong Kong and in which voluntary organisations play so positive a role.

However, I must dispel her fear that our financial arrangements would remove all initiative and opportunity to be different and downgrade all aided schools. I suspect that this fear was also in Mr. Oswald Cheung's mind when he reminded us that where quality exists, it should "not be interred for the sake of

uniformity and ease of administration". I can assure Members that it is not the Government's intention to impose a rigid, monolithic system or to discourage individuality. What I am most concerned for, at this stage, is to provide the firm foundations from which diverse activities can spring. I do not think all schools will be equal, but we must ensure that all of them have the resources and opportunity to become equally good.

I agree that the partial replacement of Tong Fai income by substantial public funds must involve closer financial control; however, every effort will be made to simplify present procedures with a view to making them more effective, yet at the same time

less onerous and more flexible. Certainly I can assure Miss Bennett

that no change is being contemplated regarding the present Tong Fai arrangements in Forms IV-VI.

Miss Bennett also had several comments to make on the

teaching of Chinese and raised the question of the teaching of

simplified Chinese characters. I am sure she would be quick to

agree that what we teach in our schools cannot be completely

divorced from the realities of the society in which our schools exist.

/As long as