TNAG-1361-FCO40-1807-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 238

Question 12

Reply by the Hon. Michael Leung, JP, Director of Education, to a Legislative Council Question by the Hon. Mrs. Pauline Ng

on 6 February 1985

Question : Since the introduction of nine-year compulsory

education, has Government taken any action against those parents who refrain from sending their children to school?

Sir,

I confirm that my Department has taken action

against those parents who refrain from sending their

children to school.

First, Student Guidance Officers give advice to the parents concerned and try to persuade them to send their

children back to school. Where necessary, cases are referred

to the Social Welfare Department or the Special Education

Section of my Department for further advice or help.

District Education Officers also assist in seeking school

placement for the children concerned.

If there are no good reasons for non-attendance and if repeated advice fails, the parent will be warned

verbally and then in writing. The written warning requires

the parent to cause the child to resume schooling within

14 days. If this still fails to result in any positive

action by the parent, an attendance order under Section 74

of the Education Ordinance will be served.

Over the years most parents have taken our advice

and it was necessary to issue attendance orders in six cases

only.