HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
28 June 1989
香港立法局
一九八九年六月二十八日
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community on these matters, we expect to put to the Executive Council proposals for any necessary changes; and
b) secondly, the Fight Crime Committee has recently conducted a review of judicial corporal punishment, including an assessment of public attitudes and the adequacy of alternative methods of punishment. We expect shortly to ask the Executive Council to consider the matter.
With these remarks, Sir, I support the motion.
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER: Sir, the theme of today's debate is child welfare in Hong Kong and most aspects will be covered by the Secretary for Health and Welfare in his speech. I will therefore limit my own remarks to two main issues: access to education and freedom from economic exploitation. These are two fundamental rights which any well intentioned society tries to ensure for its children. In Hong Kong I believe we have good reason to be proud of what we have achieved in these areas over the past few decades.
Education provision
As Members know every child is now guaranteed a free place in school for nine years of primary and junior secondary education. The great majority continue for a further two years on highly subsidized senior secondary courses, and for those with a technical aptitude we provide craft training in technical institutes. About one in three of those completing Secondary V can enrol on highly subsidized Sixth Form courses, while others can enrol for technician training. Our provision of places in higher education is expanding rapidly. In short, every child in Hong Kong now has the opportunity to reach the highest level of education of which he or she is capable. For those who have missed out because of the lack of similar opportunities in the past the Open Learning Institute will soon be providing the chance to make up what they have missed.
Economic exploitation
In step with the expansion of educational opportunity we have developed a comprehensive set of regulations to prevent the economic exploitation of children and young people. Below the age of 13 no child may be employed. Restrictions on the employment of children between 13 and 15 (the normal age for completing compulsory education) ensure that work will not interfere with
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