ENG-1966 — Page 39

16

REVIEW

in 1965. It is these recommendations, as modified in a debate in the Legislative Council in the same year, which provide the guide- lines for present action and future planning.

In the field of primary education it is intended to provide, as rapidly as possible, a subsidized primary school place for every child of the right age seeking one and, in addition, to double the amount of money which the government contributes annually to the provision of free places in primary schools and add to the list of aided primary schools a number of non-profit-making private schools and private sessions of subsidized schools. In pursuance of this policy an extra 30,000 places were subsidized in September 1965, and the maximum permitted percentage of free places in government and aided primary schools was increased from 10 per cent to 20 per cent. The 1963 proposals for a shorter five-year course, and for two years of secondary education in special forms ending at 14 years of age, were abandoned and by 1968 will have worked themselves out. The admission age is reverting to six and the course to six years. Primary school fees have been maintained at the same level as before, despite the commission's recommenda- tion that they be increased, and the ultimate aim of free primary education has been restated.

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At secondary level, it is intended to provide government and aided school places, or subsidized places in selected private schools, for 15-20 per cent of all primary school leavers, including a minimum of between 1,500-2,000 subsidized places annually in private sec- ondary schools. In practice something like 70 per cent of primary school leavers continue to secondary education, but often in schools of doubtful quality and at comparatively high fees. The present provision of aided secondary places is within the bracket 15-20 per cent of primary school leavers, but to maintain this level in an educational system which is continually expanding at primary level will entail very nearly doubling the number of aided secondary school places over the next six years. To help finance this expansion in an equitable manner, standard tuition fees in government and aided secondary schools are to be raised, but the rates of remission of fees will be increased, so that those unable to afford the fees will receive assistance. Today 32 per cent of all secondary day school places are partly or fully subsidized by the government.