I am a private school teacher and I refer to C K Lau's article headlined, 'Searching for a way to stay viable' (South China Morning Post, March 19), in which he raised concern about the plight of private schools in Hong Kong. As Hong Kong is facing an unprecedented influx of mainland children entitled to the right of abode in the SAR while passing through its worst economic downturn in 15 years, the Government should seriously consider utilising the resources available at private schools to cope with the soaring demand for school places arising from the influx. Under the present 'bought place' scheme, a private school will be left without Form One students in 1999/2000 and without Form Two, Form Four and Form Six students in 2000/2001, after which the scheme will terminate. Thus from 1999 to 2001, thousands of school places in private schools will be vacant and large numbers of teachers will lose their jobs. The Government should extend the present 'bought place' scheme for another five years so that the imminent pressure on school places may be relieved, and private school teachers may continue to serve the community by using their valuable experience to teach the new-arrival children. It is time the Government showed more sensitivity over the private school issue. NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
