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    Following is a question by Ir Dr Hon Ho Chung-tai and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, in the Legislative Council today (May 11):

Question:

    It has been reported that 30% of the children born with the congenital defect "hare-lip and cleft palate" have experienced rejection and discrimination, and schools are even the most common places where they are discriminated against. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the average number of complaints about the above situation received by the Education and Manpower Bureau in each of the past three years, and the major areas of discrimination involved;

(b) whether any schools or teachers have been admonished or prosecuted for discriminating against students with disabilities in the past three years; if so, of the relevant details; and

(c) whether it has reviewed the effectiveness of the existing measures in preventing schools from discriminating against students with disabilities; if it has, of the review results?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) & (b) Nil

(c) We are providing various support measures to schools and organising public education for preventing students with disabilities from being discriminated. They include the issue of circulars and leaflets to schools, production of an e-learning programme for teachers on the Disability Discrimination Ordinance and its Code of Practice on Education, as well as perennial launching of TV and radio Announcements of Public Interest on equal opportunities in education. Besides, we also organise related courses, seminars and workshops for school heads and teachers every year. We note that the principles and values of equal opportunity and anti-discrimination are effectively disseminated. We will continue to monitor and improve our support to schools, and to strengthen the public education.

Ends/Wednesday, May 11, 2005

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