EDUCATION
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and recognised training bodies. In the 2002-03 academic non-means tested loans amounting to $800.2 million.
Scholarships and Other Assistance Schemes
year, 23 372 persons obtained
The SFAA administers many privately funded scholarships and assistance schemes for school students. Scholarships are mainly merit-based and are provided for both local studies and studies at overseas institutions.
Tuition Fee Reimbursement for Project Yi Jin (PYJ) Students
The Government provides a 30 per cent reimbursement of tuition fees to PYJ students who have successfully completed a module. Starting from the 2002-03 school year, needy students who pass a means test will be eligible for reimbursement of the tuition fees paid for each module that has been completed satisfactorily.
Continuing Education Fund
A $5 billion Continuing Education Fund was launched in June 2002 to subsidise adults with learning aspirations to pursue continuing education and training courses in specified sectors. Eligible applicants are reimbursed 80 per cent of their fees, up to $10,000, on successful completion of a reimbursable course or module forming part of the course. With effect from September 2003, the eligibility of the fund has been relaxed to include degree holders. Over 70 000 applications had been received by the end of 2003.
Community's Participation in Education
Home-school Cooperation
Promotion of home-school cooperation is a vital element in quality education. With the continued efforts of the Committee on Home-School Co-operation set up in 1993 on the recommendation of the Education Commission, the number of Parent-Teacher Associations had increased to about 1 451 in December. 'Deepening home-school cooperation, propelling education betterment' was the theme in 2003 for the purpose of enhancing home-school cooperation and school education.
In June 2001, $50 million was set aside to strengthen parent education and to encourage parents to participate in educational affairs. By December 2003, about 2 300 applications for funding support had been approved. Education programme materials for parents, featuring children's physical, psychological and intellectual development, have been developed and distributed. About 300 parent education organisers and 300 peer counsellors had attended relevant training courses by year-end.
Professional Bodies' Involvement as Advisers to Schools
The Government supports business involvement in schools to enable students to have an early understanding of the business world. Under the 'School-Company Partnership' programme organised by the Young Entrepreneurs Development Council, a non-profit-making organisation, 'ambassadors' from the participating companies work with their partner school in providing career talks, entrepreneur workshops and business case studies for the students. The programme introduces entrepreneurship to youngsters at the early stage of career planning and provides them with an insight into the business world.