TNAG-0841-FCO40-1050-Visit-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-Chi-1979 — Page 182

CONFIDENTIAL

Kong students to sit university entrance examinations at Shun Chun and last October reported that some 300 secondary school students had succeeded in gaining entry. It is possible that with freer access to China more students will apply in future although no great number may qualify because of the keen competition of China's own students.

English-language teaching in Hong Kong

9.

!

In January 1979 a spokesman of NCNA raised with FA, the question of English-language teaching for Chinese students in Hong Kong (presumably in the communist schools)

but later in the same month PA was advised from the same

source that facilities had been found inadequate. The British Council has indicated willingness to assist in this

matter.

4.

Communist schools in Hong Kong

10.

There are 44 registered schools known to be communist

affiliated. None receives any form of public assistance.

At September 1978 they held 1.73% of total enrolment. ED maintains close liaison with S.B. on supervision of these schools. Present policy is to inhibit expansion of the local communist-controlled schools and to prevent covert communist expansion into local neutral schools.

11.

Communist influence which may arise in the area outside the specifically communist schools is kept under review by the Interdepartmental Committee on Communist Activities in Schools, established in 1975 and carrying on the role of the Communist Schools Steering Committee set up

in 1967.

12.

The problem of Cognitio College, a large independent school, has recently been dealt with initially by this

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