TNAG-1447-FCO40-1931-Executive-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-meet-1986 — Page 216

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SURVEY OF UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR OF PUPILS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

8.10

The report on the survey for September to December 1984 was considered by the Standing Committee in August 1985. The survey revealed that there was a general decrease in the level of unruly and delinquent behaviour* in September to December 1984 as compared with the corresponding period of 1983. This was both in terms of the absolute number of incidents reported (a decrease of 8.3%) and the number of pupils involved (a decrease of 4.4%), and also in terms of the average of incidents per school and the average proportion of pupils involved.

8.11

For unruly behaviour, except 'failing to hand in assignments/bring textbooks to schools' and 'others', all other categories of unruly behaviour decreased in absolute terms in September to December 1984 when compared with September to December 1983. The more common categories were disciplinary offences to attract attention, habitual lateness and insolent or rebellious behaviour. A comparison of the incidents of unruly behaviour in September to December 1983 and in the same period of 1984 is at Appendix VIII.

8.12

The incidence of delinquent behaviour decreased by 19.8% in September to December 1984 when compared with the same period in 1983. Except for 'possession of pornographic materials', all categories of delinquent behaviour showed decreases both in absolute and proportionate terms. The most common cases were acts of physical violence, stealing and involvement in gambling. There was a sharp increase of 168% in incidents of 'possession of pornographic materials'. The Standing Committee could not draw any conclusions as to whether this was due to a change in the students' behaviour or due to the fact that during the survey period, pornographic magazines were more readily available. The Standing Committee will keep a close watch on the surveys for January to April 1985 and May to August 1985 to see if any significant conclusions may be drawn. comparison of the incidents of delinquent behaviour for September to December 1983 and the same period of 1984 is at Appendix IX.

A

*Unruly behaviour refers to behaviour prohibited by school regulations or disapproved of by social convention, whereas delinquent behaviour involves acts of a more serious nature, involving breaking of the law.