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Following is a question by the Hon Chan Kam-lam and a written reply by the acting Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
It was reported that the latest Human Development Report issued by the United Nations stated that the current illiteracy rate in Hong Kong has reached 8% and Hong Kong's ranking in the education index has dropped from 60 last year to 75. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it has conducted any statistical survey on the illiteracy rate in Hong Kong; if so, what the details are; if not, why not;
(b) whether it has examined the relationship between the illiteracy rate and the increase in the number of newly arrived residents; and whether it has any plans to offer appropriate education courses for those new arrivals who are of a relatively low education level; and
(c) of the specific plans to lower the illiteracy rate in Hong Kong?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) In the fourth quarter of 1984, the Census and Statistics Department conducted a special topic enquiry on illiteracy rate as part of the General Household Survey. An illiterate person is defined as one who cannot, with understanding, both read and write short and simple statements on his or her everyday life. Based on this definition, it was estimated that about 12% of the Hong Kong population aged 15 or above were illiterate then.
In addition, a census is conducted every ten years in Hong Kong, and with a by-census in between. Although data on illiteracy are not directly collected in these surveys, the education level of the public is covered. According to these surveys, those who were aged 15 or above and had not received any education or had only received kindergarten education accounted for the following percentages of the total population in the relevant age group:
Year Percentage
1976 20.2%
1981 16.1%
1986 14.1%
1991 12.8%
1996 9.5%
The above figures indirectly show that the illiteracy rate in Hong Kong has been dropping steadily. According to the bi-census in 1996, over 72% of those persons aged 15 or above who had not received any education or had only received kindergarten education were aged 60 years or above.
The Human Development Report issued by the United Nations Development Programme states that the illiteracy rate in Hong Kong is 8% and that Hong Kong's ranking in the education index has dropped from 60 last year to 75. We do not know the source of data for compiling these figures. The Census and Statistics Department has written to the relevant organisation to enquire about the matter.
(b) As the annual figure of newly arrived residents from Mainland China who are 15 years old or above accounts for far below 1% of Hong Kong's total population, their education level has negligible effect on the overall education level of Hong Kong. Newly arrived residents who are 15 years old or above and who have not received any education or have only received kindergarten education may enrol in local adult education courses (see paragraph (c) below for details).
(c) Apart from offering nine years' free and universal basic education to all children between the ages of 6 and 15, the Government has been raising the education level of the public through various measures. For example, the Adult Education Section of the Education Department provides adult education at primary and secondary levels and English courses for interested persons aged 15 or above. It also subvents non-government organisations in providing adult education courses, including literacy class. Besides, adult education programmes are provided by other private institutions.
End/Wednesday, November 11, 1998
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