ENG-1973 — Page 99

EDUCATION

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As from September 1971, education is free in all government Chinese primary schools and in the majority of aided primary schools. In those aided primary schools where fees continue to be charged, fee remission may be awarded of up to 20 per cent of the total enrolment to meet cases of genuine hardship. In order to lighten further the burden of needy parents, a textbook and stationary grant of $20 per pupil per annum, is available to 20 per cent of pupils enrolled in government and aided primary schools.

The Education Ordinance 1971 gives the Director of Education powers to enforce school attendance where parents appear to be unnecessarily withholding their children of suitable age. These powers will be exercised by the Director only after a careful investigation of the family's circumstances and the needs of the child. When an attendance order is made, parents have-the right of appeal to a specially constituted board of review. The decision of the board is final.

To improve the quality of primary education, seven government primary schools in areas where provision of places is in excess of demand have been converted into whole-day operation. A pilot scheme introducing integrated teaching is operating in six government aided and private schools. The administration of primary schools. has been decentralised and is organised on an area basis.

Special Education

With the implementation of the second five-year development programme for special education in Hong Kong, the Education Department is continuing to increase the number of places for handicapped children in either special schools or special classes in ordinary schools. The department is also expanding preventive measures by providing, through the special education section, more diagnostic and remedial services. Another aim is to expand the training programme with overseas training for the nucleus of specialist staff of the special education section, by local in-service courses for teachers in special schools and classes, and by courses on the needs of handicapped children for teachers-in-training at colleges of education.

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There are 36 special schools for blind, deaf, physically handicapped, slow- learning and maladjusted children. In addition, there are 59 special classes for slow- learning children, 12 special classes for partially-hearing children and two special classes for partially-sighted children in 37 ordinary government primary schools. Five voluntary organisations have responded to the expansion programme of special education in Hong Kong and have opened a total of 13 special classes for slow- learning children in five subsidised primary schools. More than 5,300 places in special schools and special classes are now available for handicapped children in Hong Kong. In addition, more than 450 less severely physically handicapped children have been placed in ordinary classes in government primary schools and government subsidised primary schools. These children are supervised regularly by the special education section.

This section provides diagnostic services which include audiologic testing, psycho- logical testing, speech testing and educational assessment, as well as remedial services