TNAG-1788-FCO40-2548-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1988 — Page 189

A

CONFIDENTIAL

HRD 243/5

For information (16.8.88)

R

REGISTE

- 5 SEP 1988

NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

PA) Geren

XCCI (88) 52 23145

Copy No.

EDUCATION FOR HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS

BORN TO VIETNAMESE REFUGEES

INTRODUCTION

This memorandum informs Members about the allocation of primary school places in local schools to 156 young Hong Kong permanent residents whose parents are Vietnamese refugees at the Kai Tak Transit Centre and Argyle Street Reception Centre.

BACKGROUND

2

On 26 May 1987, having considered memorandum XCC (87)76, a copy of which is at Annex A, the Council advised and the Governor ordered -

(a)

(b)

that the further advice of the UNHCR and the voluntary agencies should be sought on the feasibility of a scheme to promote the integration of refugee children into the Hong Kong educational system with a view to assisting their resettlement overseas, failing that, their assimilation into Hong Kong society; and

or

that the new scheme should place emphasis on the teaching of English and Cantonese and that the teaching of Vietnamese, if desired, should be confined to the camps.

The general question of education for Vietnamese refugee children will be addressed in the context of the gradual liberalisation of the closed centres and will be subject to

overall review to be submitted

submitted separately for Members' consideration. Meanwhile, it

necessary to make arrangements to fulfil the moral obligation of integrating the group of Hong Kong permanent residents in the refugee centres into the local education system.

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Hong Kong Permanent Residents Born to Refugee Parents

3

Under the Immigration Ordinance (Chapter 115), persons born in Hong Kong before 1 January 1983 are entitled to Hong Kong permanent resident status and have the right of

CONFIDENTIAL