TNAG-2293-FCO40-3305-Official-visits-from-Hong-Kong-to-China-1991 — Page 114

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were being actively carried out in Chengde, although

some

flexibility was allowed in the mountainous areas

* and in respect of racial minorities.

that family planning was a

It was emphasized

prerequisite

for the

improvement of the standard of living.

5. On the welfare side, each township had its own welfare

institute.

environment

Efforts were also made to improve the living

by gradually increasing the average living

area per person (currently at 5.4 square metres).

6. Regarding education, a nine-year education system was

being practised. There were over 500 primary schools in

Chengde and nearly all children of school age received

education.

Due to the mountainous geographical

conditions and widely dispersed population, primary

schools operated very small branches, consisting of one

or two teachers with a dozen or So pupils, in the

There were also numerous kindergartens,

which were mostly located inside places of work for the

convenience of the parents.

localities.

b-cpg