That refugees in closed camps who wish to pursue a full-time course of further education should be considered on an individual basis, and may be transferred to an open camp and allowed to study at a registered educational institution on an openly competitive basis.
That all refugee children be subject to the same regulations on school attendance as local children, and that parents be held responsible for ensuring their attendance
We think these changes would have broad popular support. Education and the chance of improvement lie at the heart of Hong Kong's success, and we should be trying to ensure that the refugee children, whose lives have already been badly disrupted, do at least have access to a decent education.
We do not believe that denying children a good education is an acceptable part of any humane deterrent policy.
How Oxfam could help
We have heard so many complaints about the lack of study materials. The UNHCR is setting up a central resources unit at Kaitak, where teachers can meet and resources can be stored, and we suggest that Oxfam may be able to help with this project.
On vocational training, we support moves to put more programmes on a commercial footing. We think this is probably the best way to overcome the lack of motivation which many refugees now suffer. Oxfam may be able to help by buying goods for sale through its mail order operation and network of 770 shops in Britain.
At
We are disappointed by the apparent reluctance of many refugees to learn English. Quite clearly, for most of them English will be an invaluable asset in their new homes. the same time, we appreciate that the refugees find it hard to get motivated, especially when they may end up in a non-English speaking country. We support moves to concentrate on teaching functional English and would be interested in any new initiatives on this problem.
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