Page 146 of 237
270
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Five years ago, it seemed that Hong Kong was able to indefinitely remain in second position to that of Japan in the economic ladder in Asia. This may no longer be the case.
We are faced with serious competition from both Taiwan and South Korea, either or both of which may surpass Hong Kong industrially within the next five years.
Hong Kong is going through a boom period. No doubt land values are shooting up and factory space is critically short. But let us look at the situation a little more closely. Apart from textiles, plastics, electronic products, wigs and other miscellaneous products, the Hong Kong industrial base is comparatively narrow when compared to the present Japanese industrial economy or even the potential Taiwan or South Korean industrial base.
If Hong Kong is to keep up its industrial momentum, it is an absolute necessity that we must as quickly as possible level up our standard of education, so that our people can acquire a higher rate of productivity and thus have a larger GNP.
As a first stage, we must introduce a system of compulsory primary education in 1970 as soon as the Public Assistance Scheme goes into operation.
The Education Department could make use of the facilities of the Commissioner of Registration to obtain information on the children of families who attain primary school age, and follow up on their primary educational status until they complete primary schooling.
In Japan, once a child attains the age of six, the family is automatically informed that a school place has been reserved for the child in a particular school. The family then has the option either to send the child to the designated public school or to a private school at the family's own expense.
It is obvious that the present facilities of the Commissioner of Registration will have to be modernized and even computerized if any assistance is to be given to the Education Department in this respect. At the same time, the City District Offices, the Social Welfare Department, and the Kaifong Associations can work closely with the Education Department to ensure that all children of primary school age are in school.
Although there are many vacant primary school places, thousands of children are still not in school because they have to help their parents to earn extra money for the family. Furthermore, many other children study only a few years in primary school and do not complete their primary education.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
271
As Taiwan and South Korea are rapidly moving up the industrial ladder, it is obvious that even a six year compulsory primary education system will not be enough for Hong Kong.
I believe that we must aim in the second stage for a nine year compulsory education system to be introduced by 1975.
This nine year compulsory education system need not be entirely free. It should be free for those children whose families are poor, and if necessary, books, uniforms and other school allowances should be provided by Government or the voluntary agencies. In the case of low income families, the Government will have to provide them with monthly subsidies.
I do not wish to speak at length on technical education at this annual conventional debate because I know that Government has belatedly wakened up to the fact that we are behind in the training and provision of technical workers. However, better late than never!
From time to time in the past, it has been claimed that we do not have sufficient funds to invest more money in the long-term planning and expansion of educational services. On the other hand, I have heard it said time and time again that we in Hong Kong are so rich that we do not need any outside assistance or aid in any of our economic or social developmental projects, and that it is strange why in view of our affluence we do not yet have a nine year compulsory education system.
In order that we can have a nine year compulsory education system by 1975, as well as progressively introduce social security for Hong Kong's working population, it is necessary that there should be elected representation in the Legislative Council, which is responsible for deciding how much taxes should be imposed, and how such taxes should be spent for the benefit of the people of Hong Kong.
Lord Shepherd stated recently that the United Kingdom Government will not allow direct elections to the Legislative Council in the near future. I would urge, therefore, that in order that the people of Hong Kong can have wider representation in the Legislative Council, that the Urban Council nominate two elected members to be appointed by the Governor to sit on the Legislative Council.
This is the most urgent reform that has to take place if we are to bring enough pressure to bear on Hong Kong's colonial government to provide a better education system as well as progressive social security for Hong Kong's working population.
The Appointed Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils are individually capable, responsible and even dedicated to their duties.
Page 147 of 237
Page 146 of 237
270
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Five years ago, it seemed that Hong Kong was able to indefinitely remain in second position to that of Japan in the economic ladder in Asia. This may no longer be the case.
We are faced with serious competition from both Taiwan and South Korea, either or both of which may surpass Hong Kong industrially within the next five years.
Hong Kong is going through a boom period. No doubt land values are shooting up and factory space is critically short. But let us look at the situation a little more closely. Apart from textiles, plastics, electronic products, wigs and other miscellaneous products, the Hong Kong industrial base is comparatively narrow when compared to the present Japanese industrial economy or even the potential Taiwan or South Korean industrial base.
If Hong Kong is to keep up its industrial momentum, it is an absolute necessity that we must as quickly as possible level up our standard of education, so that our people can acquire a higher rate of productivity and thus have a larger GNP.
As a first stage, we must introduce a system of compulsory primary education in 1970 as soon as the Public Assistance Scheme goes into operation.
The Education Department could make use of the facilities of the Commissioner of Registration to obtain information on the children of families who attain primary school age, and follow up on their primary educational status until they complete primary schooling.
In Japan, once a child attains the age of six, the family is automatically informed that a school place has been reserved for the child in a particular school. The family then has the option either to send the child to the designated public school or to a private school at the family's own expense.
It is obvious that the present facilities of the Commissioner of Registration will have to be modernized and even computerized if any assistance is to be given to the Education Department in this respect. At the same time, the City District Offices, the Social Welfare Depart- ment, and the Kaifong Associations can work closely with the Educa- tion Department to ensure that all children of primary school age are in school.
Although there are many vacant primary school places, thousands of children are still not in school because they have to help their parents to earn extra money for the family. Furthermore, many other children study only a few years in primary school and do not complete their primary education.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
271
As Taiwan and South Korea are rapidly moving up the industrial ladder, it is obvious that even a six year compulsory primary education system will not be enough for Hong Kong.
I believe that we must aim in the second stage for a nine year compulsory education system to be introduced by 1975.
This nine year compulsory education system need not be entirely free. It should be free for those children whose families are poor, and if necessary, books, uniforms and other school allowances should be provided by Government or the voluntary agencies. In the case of low income families, the Government will have to provide them with monthly subsidies.
I do not wish to speak at length on technical education at this annual conventional debate because I know that Government has belatedly wakened up to the fact that we are behind in the training and provision of technical workers. However, better late than never!
From time to time in the past, it has been claimed that we do not have sufficient funds to invest more money in the long-term plan- ning and expansion of educational services. On the other hand, I have heard it said time and time again that we in Hong Kong are so rich that we do not need any outside assistance or aid in any of our economic or social developmental projects, and that it is strange why in view of our affluence we do not yet have a nine year compulsory education system.
In order that we can have a nine year compulsory education system by 1975, as well as progressively introduce social security for Hong Kong's working population, it is necessary that there should be elected representation in the Legislative Council, which is responsible for deciding how much taxes should be imposed, and how such taxes should be spent for the benefit of the people of Hong Kong.
Lord Shepherd stated recently that the United Kingdom Govern- ment will not allow direct elections to the Legislative Council in the near future. I would urge, therefore, that in order that the people of Hong Kong can have wider representation in the Legislative Council, that the Urban Council nominate two elected members to be appointed by the Governor to sit on the Legislative Council.
This is the most urgent reform that has to take place if we are to bring enough pressure to bear on Hong Kong's colonial government to provide a better education system as well as progressive social security for Hong Kong's working population.
The Appointed Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils are individually capable, responsible and even dedicated to their duties.
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