TNAG-1073-FCO40-1323-Policy-of-the-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-including-1981 — Page 107

2.1

URAFT

Chapter 2

The Structure of Primary Education and Pre-primary Services

The Green Paper set out at considerable length the arguments

for maintaining the existing age of entry and course length for primary

schooling. Public comment has generally endorsed these views and the

Government accordingly intends that the primary course should be of six

years with the age of enrolment being normally at the age of 6 but as early

as 5 years 8 months if the parents so wish.

2.2

There was, however, some criticism of the Green Paper's proposals

in respect of the definition of kindergarten and child care centre services.

The Green Paper had proposed that a distinction should be drawn between the two

types of institution based essentially on the number of hours of operating each

day.

Kindergartens would not be allowed to receive any group of children for more

than four hours a day, while any institution permitting attendance for more than

four hours during a day or providing luncheon facilities (which indicates that

full day care may be intended) would need to be registered under the Child Care

Centres Crdinance.

2.3

The arguments adduced in favour of an alternative definition

based on age rather than hours of operation have been two-fold, namely:

(i) most younger children require the more

care-orientated approach offered by child

care centres, while the older age group of

4 and 5 year-olds are more capable of profiting

from a more structured approach to education;

(ii) child care centres providing full day care.

for the 4 and 5 year-olds, while necessary in some

cases, are probably not desired by the majority of parents.

CONFIDENTIAL

T