The Hong Kong government Tuesday urged parents to ensure their children who are aged between six and 15 and have not completed Secondary Three to attend school.

"School education can provide children with a balanced and broad formal curriculum and extracurricular activities as well as the opportunities to learn interactively from their teachers and with their peers," an Education and Manpower Bureau spokesman said.

"All these are essential for all-round development of children in the domains of ethics, intellect, physique, social skills and aesthetics," the spokesman added.

Parents are also advised to help their children prepare for school commencement in September. They should spend more time talking with them, addressing their feelings, and understanding how they learn, behave and make friends in school.

"Receiving school education is children's basic right, which is protected by the Education Ordinance and should be respected by parents," he added.

Nine-year universal basic education in Hong Kong is free to all eligible local children, regardless of their race.

The spokesman also encouraged the parents to liaise with and seek help from the school head, teachers, school social workers or student guidance personnel concerned when they discover their children are at risk of dropping out from school.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2004)