TNAG-1288-FCO40-1639-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 45

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Chapter V Other Related Matters

Civic Education

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An opinion which has been expressed strongly by many organisations and

and individual members

of

the public is that arrangements should be made for the people of Hong Kong to be educated more effectively and comprehensively in political and constitutional matters so that they will be able to understand better all the implications and complexities of proposals for the development of the system of government in Hong Kong.

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The Education Department has been promoting civic education in schools for many years through Social Studies and Economic and Public Affairs courses. It is the intention to develop these further in a new syllabus covering Government and Public Affairs. Civic education will be pursued both through the formal school curriculum and extra-curricular activities, such as

as current affairs clubs, debating societies and visits for senior students to District Boards, the Urban Council, the UMELCO Office, government departments and the Legislative

Council.

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It is also important that adults should be given the opportunity to receive more civic education and encouragement will be

be given to other educational institutions and organisations to provide more courses in public affairs for the general public.

Remuneration for Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council

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constitutional

and

Several suggestions were made that Unofficial members of the Legislative Council should

should be provided with adequate remuneration so as to enable them to devote the proper amount of time and attention to their duties as Councillors. This would also help to ensure that prospective candidates for the Legislative Council are not

prevented

from standing for election for financial reasons.

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Although arrangements

already exist for certain expenses to be re-imbursed to Unofficial Members, it is now proposed that a standard rate of remuneration as well as payment of expenses should be provided. The level is now under consideration, with a view to introducing the scheme when the first elected Unofficial members join the Legislative Council in October 1985.

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