TNAG-2212-FCO40-3172-Hong-Kong-annual-report-for-1990-1991 — Page 160

the summer of 1991.

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40. A Preparatory Committee was appointed to plan and

prepare for the formation of the Hong Kong Academy of

Medicine, which will be responsible for organising and supervising post-graduate and continuing medical education

and the accreditation of specialist status. The aim is that

the Academy should come into being in 1991.

41. The most significant event in the welfare field during 1990 was no doubt the publication, for the purpose of public

consultation, of a draft White Paper on social welfare

policies for the 1990's and beyond. Following a 3 month consultation period, the draft will be turned into a White

Paper in early 1991. Similarly, the policies and services for the rehabilitation of disabled persons will be reviewed comprehensively in 1991 with the intention of publishing a Green Paper in the second half of the year. The Green Paper will set out proposals to ensure that the needs of disabled

persons will continue to be met in the next decade and

beyond.

42. In the field of education, the Hong Kong Government have adopted a two-pronged strategy for the 1990s; to increase education and to improve the quality of education at primary and secondary schools.

43.

Detailed measures to increase the provision of first

year degree places from 7,000 in 1989-90 to 15,000 by

1994-95 (an increase from 8 per cent to 18 per cent of the

17-20 age group) were submitted by local tertiary institutions in early 1990 and accepted for implementation.

The establishment of the new University of Science and

Technology also proceeded according to schedule with the first intake of students expected in October 1991.

44.

After studying the problems brought on by the implementation of nine years of free and compulsory

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