TNAG-0796-FCO40-1000-Policy-of-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-1979 — Page 25

CONFIDENTIAL #

機密 As(BC)

Press Release

WITH

Note: This item is embargoed

QTY SUPRA STAT

until 7 p.m. on Dec. 7th 1978.

ESF to Take Over English-Speaking Schools

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The Government announced today now proposals for the management of English-speaking Schools. It is proposed that from September 1979 the English Schools Foundation will take over the direction of all English-Speaking Schools in the public sector including those et procent run by the Government. Arrangements will be made for the initial secondment of Government teachers in these schools and their subsequent employment if they accept contracts offered by the ESF.

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These new proposals stem from an administrative review conducted by the Government of all aspects of the schooling for English speaking children. "The main conclusion is that the time has come for a basic change in the direction of the system. We believe that the schools will work better if they are all under one master," Government spokesman said. "In the course of this review it has been necessary to look hard at the financing of these schools and in particular at the level of foes. It has been concluded that the mechanism designed to give effect to Government's policy of parity of subsidy with Anglo-Chinese schools has not worked satisfactorily. As a result a new formula has been devised, which will also take into account rising costs. If those proposals are finally agreed it will be necessary to raise fees in September 1979 from $1,900 p.a. to about $3,500 p.a. in Junior English Schools and from $3,040 p.a. to about $5,300 p.a. in the English secondary schools. This will be a matter of concern to parents but employers may be willing to help in some cases and the Government will re-examine the levels of local education allowances paid to its own employees. Arrangements will also be made to cover fee romission for those parents who cannot afford to pay the increased fees," the spokesman added. The spokesman emphasised that feos would still need to rise to levels similar to those now proposed even without changes in the management system for these schools. Fees were last roviewed for English-speaking schools in 1976.

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At the present the English Schools Foundation runs two secondary schools and three primary schools while a third secondary school and five primary schools ero run by the Education Department. There will now be consultation with the English Schools Foundation, the Parent Teachers Associations and the Government Staff offected before a final decision is made. A spokesman said that subject to acceptance of financial implications by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, it is hoped that the new arrangements will be brought into effect from September 1979, the beginning of the next school year.

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The Foundation will have a substantial measure of freedom under the new arrangements to introduce improvements in standards and facilities to meet the wishes of parents.

G.F. 323

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