Govt Watchdog To Probe System For School Fee Hikes
"); jQuery("#212 h3").html("
"); jQuery(document).ready(function() { jwplayer.key='EKOtdBrvhiKxeOU807UIF56TaHWapYjKnFiG7ipl3gw='; var playerInstance = jwplayer("jquery_jwplayer_1"); playerInstance.setup({ file: "http://newsstatic.rthk.hk/audios/mfile_1403659_1_20180626144832.mp3", skin: { url: location.href.split('/', 4).join('/') + '/jwplayer/skin/rthk/five.css', name: 'five' }, hlshtml: true, width: "100%", height: 30, wmode: 'transparent', primary: navigator.userAgent.indexOf("Trident")>-1 ? "flash" : "html5", events: { onPlay: function(event) { dcsMultiTrack('DCS.dcsuri', 'http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1403659-20180626.mp3', 'WT.ti', ' Audio at newsfeed', 'WT.cg_n', '#rthknews', 'WT.cg_s', 'Multimedia','WT.es','http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1403659-20180626.htm', 'DCS.dcsqry', '' ); } } }); }); });
2018-06-26 HKT 12:56
The Ombudsman Connie Lau on Tuesday said her office is going to investigate how officials handle requests for approving school fee increases, saying she is worried the Education Bureau may not have adequate procedures in place.
Lau said 147 private, international, or direct subsidy scheme schools were given approval to raise their fees for the current academic year, with some charging more than HK$200,000.
There are concerns that the bureau’s approval mechanism is lax and lacks transparency, such that schools can easily get the approval, she said.
"If schools are at liberty to unreasonably hike their school fees year after year, that would bring about a heavy financial burden for parents to bear," the Ombudsman said.
"We are, therefore, very concerned about whether the [bureau] has in place a sufficiently strict mechanism and proper procedures for approving applications for school fee revisions."
Lau said the probe will also look into how the bureau is regulating school fees collected by schools.
Members of the public have been invited to give their views to the Ombudsman.
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Kevin Yeung said the Education Bureau has strict criteria when it comes to vetting changes in school fees and the system is reviewed regularly.
Yeung said the bureau will fully cooperate with the Ombudsman's investigation.
Is Hong Kongs Financial Hub Status At Risk?
Globally, Hong Kong has made its mark as a financial hub alongside Singapore and Dubai. These city-states, while rivals... Read more
Project Aurum Phase Two Focuses On Privacy For Retail CBDCs
The BIS Innovation Hub Hong Kong Centre, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), has initiated t... Read more
Cyberport Welcomes New Directors, Retains Key Leaders For 2024-2026
Hong Kong Cyberport has announced the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s appointment of th... Read more
Redefining Resilience For Banks In The Digital Era With The Four Zeros
The banking industry stands at the brink of a major transformation, driven by rapid technological advancements and chan... Read more
GSBN Partners Ant To Digitise Shipping Processes In Hong Kongs WCBDC Project
The Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN), in partnership with Ant Group, has developed a prototype electronic bill o... Read more
HKMA Alerts Public To Fraudulent Claims Regarding E-HKD Pilot Programme
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) advises the public to exercise caution following reports of entities falsely cl... Read more