ENG-1961 — Page 138

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PRIMARY PRODUCTION

loan funds administered by the Co-operative Development and Fisheries Department.

A further important side to the Organization's development programme is the provision of schooling facilities up to Primary IV standard for the children of fishermen. Classes have been extended to Primary VI in three fishing centres, Shau Kei Wan, Tai O and Ap Chau, and adult education classes have been opened at Sha Tau Kok and Shau Kei Wan. Ten schools have been established by the Organization, all of which now come under the Education Department's Subsidy Code. At the end of 1961, approximately 1,800 fishermen's children were receiving education at these schools, and a further 1,000 were attending other schools on scholarships provided by the Organization. All Fish Marketing Organization schools have Advisory Committees composed of leaders of the fishing communities served by the schools.

In recognition of the importance of vocational training in the furtherance of the policy of the Department, plans are now under consideration for the establishment by the Fish Marketing Organ- ization of a secondary modern school at Aberdeen; it is intended that, at this school, fishermen's children will be able to continue their general education beyond the primary level and at the same time receive instruction in vocational subjects related to the require- ments of a modern fishing industry.

Radio Hong Kong directs a weekly radio programme towards the fishing community which has been enthusiastically received. The programme is mainly educative and informative.

The Organization may one day be run by the fishermen them- selves as a co-operative enterprise, but lack of education is a factor that only time can solve. Wherever possible the Fisheries Division makes full use of the Organization's close relationship with the fishing communities in the processing of loan applications and to disseminate information on new or improved gear, techniques and fishing methods.

The success of the Organization has attracted wide interest and a month seldom passes without the arrival of visitors and students from other lands to study its operations with the idea of setting up similar schemes in their own countries.

Vegetable Marketing Organization. The advantages of the Fish Marketing Scheme were obvious almost immediately, and a similar