146 Education
outside the classroom and raise their understanding of the community and sense of belonging.
Funding is also available to some 4 200 needy student members of the Uniformed Groups and the Hong Kong Award for Young People to help them buy uniforms or join training courses.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Life-wide Learning Fund was established by the Education Bureau and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in 2002 to support needy students to full participation in life-wide learning activities. In the school year 2008-2009, 202 000 needy students of all levels (P1-57) have benefited from the fund.
A computer recycling programme was launched in early 2009 to provide students of needy families with recycled computers and one year's free Internet access service. It is expected that about 20 000 families will benefit from this programme.
Regulatory Framework and Governance Structure
The Government's Role and Organisation
The Secretary for Education, who heads the EDB, formulates, develops and reviews educational policies, secures funds from the government budget, and oversees the implementation of educational programmes with the assistance of the Permanent Secretary for Education.
Education Ordinance
School education services are regulated by the Education Ordinance. School operators must comply with its provisions and its subsidiary legislations relating to areas such as registration of schools, teachers and managers, health and safety requirements, fees and charges, and teacher qualifications.
Vocational Training Council Ordinance
The Vocational Training Council Ordinance provides for the establishment, functions and management of the council, which is the main body responsible for vocational education and technical training. Its members comprise representatives of industry, commerce, service sectors, employees and the government.
Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance
The Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance governs institutions offering post- secondary courses. As at December 2009, there were three approved post-secondary institutions registered under the ordinance, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Caritas Francis Hsu College, and Chu Hai College of Higher Education.
Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance
The Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance regulates non-local courses conducted in Hong Kong through a system of registration. It protects Hong Kong consumers by guarding against the marketing of substandard courses.