TNAG-1072-FCO40-1322-Policy-of-the-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-1981 — Page 48

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missionary commitment and many have done so in the past; that commitment is very commendable, but it hardly scratches the surface of the College's deep seated problems.

There would, in any event, be considerable difficulty in planning with such a mobile staff, but virtually no planning takes place except in regard to physical facilities. Academically, the College merely reacts to immediate situations.

The only example of the launching of a new course which was identified in the discussions - the proposed course in Social Work - proceeded in a way which hardly builds confidence; yet the recommendation of the Advisory Committee was clearly crucial in stopping a sub-standard course going ahead. It seemed odd that the College itself was unable to make its own judgement on the proposed course in the light of such evident under-resourcing.

It is clear that the College is struggling to offer courses having parity with those in the Polytechnic and has little chance at present of achieving such parity. It can and does offer a useful service to the community, and there are a number of individual cases of dedication by staff leading to a satisfactory educational experience for some students. Of course the College sets store by its history and has a high regard for the dedication of those who served Lingnan University in the past, but it shows little signs of adjusting to the realities of its present and its future. If the College could set its sights at academic levels in line with its resources, and in a way which does not overstretch the leadership which can be provided, it may indeed uphold in Hong Kong the traditions on which it was founded. In due course, a future which offers the possibility of consolidation of its present post-sixth form education and expansion into new fields might be possible, but it seems to CNAA that it would be premature for government to make a major investment on the assumption that the College could provide the standard of education envisaged in section 6.19 of the White Paper.

The whole question of leadership has been identified as a crucial factor, and in responding to the report overall, it will be necessary for Government, prior to taking action to change the leadership, to reach decisions about the size and overall goals which it has in mind for the College in the medium term.

BB0/ajg

11th March 1981

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