EDUCATION
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profit-making kindergartens. During the year, a total of $24.74 million was granted to 10 988 kindergarten pupils.
Local Student Finance Scheme
Full-time students in local tertiary institutions funded by the UPGC may apply for means-tested assistance under the Local Student Finance Scheme. This provides for loans to meet living expenses, and for grants to cover tuition fees, faculty expenses and student union dues. During the year, 11 865 students received loans totalling $128.7 million. Of these, 8 976 also received grants totalling $68.2 million.
United Kingdom-Hong Kong Joint Funding Scheme
A joint funding arrangement between the governments of the United Kingdom and Hong Kong provides grants on a means-tested basis to full-time students attending first degree or higher national diploma courses in the United Kingdom. The grant meets the difference between fees for home students and fees for overseas students. During the year grants of £4.4 million and loans of $29 million were made to 1 797 students.
United Kingdom-Hong Kong Scholarships
These scholarships aim to provide educational opportunities at tertiary level in the United Kingdom for outstanding students from Hong Kong. The scholarship fund is contributed - equally by the United Kingdom Government and the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club on behalf of the Hong Kong Government. Nine scholarships were awarded in the 1991-2 academic year.
Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund
The fund was established in April 1987 to manage public donations made in memory of the late Governor, Sir Edward Youde, who passed away in service in December 1986. The fund promotes education and learning among Hong Kong people, and encourages research. In the 1991-2 academic year $6 million was disbursed. Thirteen students were awarded fellowships or scholarships for postgraduate or undergraduate study overseas. Locally, 43 postgraduate research students were awarded fellowships, and 82 under- graduate, diploma and certificate students received scholarships. Awards from the fund were also made to five students excelling in public examinations, nine disabled students at tertiary, secondary and post-secondary level, and 597 outstanding senior secondary students nominated by school heads.
Education Scholarships Fund
In addition to the above schemes, a large number of scholarships for school students have been endowed by private benefactors. These are administered by the department under the Education Scholarships Fund Ordinance. Certain other charitable trust funds also provide scholarships.
Schools and Kindergartens Kindergartens
In September 1992, 189 730 children aged three to five were enrolled in 743 kindergartens. All kindergartens are privately operated. An increasing number are run on a non- profit-making basis which renders them eligible for rent and rates rebates. They may also