Govt Vows Red Tape-free Funds For School Projects

Schools planning curriculum-enhancing projects will be able to get funds of up to HK$2 million from July, the government has said. That too without much red tape.

Kindergartens can apply for up to HK$500,000, while primary, secondary and special needs schools are eligible for grants of up to HK$2 million from the Quality Education Fund which was allocated HK$3 billion in this year's budget.

The funds must be used for projects that enhance the schools' curricula in some way, or improve support for students. Projects that are launched starting in the coming four academic years can be covered.

And the chairman of the Fund's Steering Committee, Gordon Tsui, said schools will have some flexibility in how to use the money.

"For example, if they apply for a Stem [science, technology, engineering, maths] project, they can apply for funding for the purchasing of equipment, for example like 3D printers or something like that. Also they have the renovation of classroom, then they can apply for funding," he said.

Principal Assistant Secretary Jenny Chan from the Education Bureau said officials have cut some of the red tape away as there were complaints that the application process for grants under the fund was too cumbersome.

She said schools won't have to draft entire proposals now, but only need to fill out a form.