ENG-1971 — Page 314

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HISTORY

Not all developments have been in the economic field and consid- erable social advances have also taken place. Local recruitment into the public service has been expanded and local candidates are given preference if suitably qualified. This has given more opportunity in the government service for local doctors, architects, administrators and teachers, among others, and they have shown themselves well able to compete in professional and higher degree examinations overseas. The unofficial membership of the Legislative Council was increased to 13 in 1964, of whom 11 were Chinese, as against 12 official members, leaving only two Europeans nominated by the five nominating bodies. The Executive Council was given an unofficial majority of eight to six in 1966. The Urban Council has been grad- ually reconstituted to give it six official and 20 unofficial members, 10 of the latter being nominated and 10 elected. However, the percentage of eligible persons who actually vote in Urban Council elections, and indeed the percentage of those qualified who take the trouble to register, have been disappointing. An office of the Unofficial Members of the Executive Council and Legislative Council (UMELCO) was set up in 1963 to assist the public to resolve problems arising from their dealings with the Government and with the appointment in 1970 of an administrative secretary, the office was able to handle an increasing volume of complaints.

Economic expansion has enabled the Government to increase its social services to match the Colony's all-round-growth. Total enrol- ment in all types of schools and educational centres increased from 120,000 in 1948 to 1,268,660 in 1971. A government or subsidised primary school place is now available for every child of primary school age. In the field of primary education, free education was introduced in September 1971 for the vernacular schools and at the same time a form of compulsory education for all primary schools came into force. During the year a new policy for secondary educa- tion was announced. Under this, three years of post primary educa. tion will be provided for all children in the age group 12-14 and it is hoped that half of the places required can be provided by 1976. The University of Hong Kong re-opened in 1946 with a total of 109 students and, by 1971, had expanded to 2,902 under-graduates, 352 higher degree students and 150 students reading for post-graduate diplomas or certificates. The Chinese University of Hong Kong opened in October 1963 comprising three student colleges, Chung Chi, New Asia and United and enrolment had risen to 2,412 by September 1971. A Polytechnic, to be run by its own board, is in the planning stage and its first principal was appointed during 1971.