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Education
Support Programmes for Needy Students
In the 2015-16 school year, 889 schools and 175 non-governmental organisations received subsidies under the School-based After-school Learning and Support Programmes for organising activities to help about 190,000 eligible needy students improve their learning effectiveness, broaden their learning experience outside the classroom and raise their understanding of the community and sense of belonging.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Life-wide Learning Fund, established by the bureau and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, allocated $78.79 million (including the Award Scheme allocation of $20.24 million) to 939 participating schools during 2014-15, providing financial aid to over 200,000 students in need from Primary 1 to Secondary 6 to participate in activities organised or recognised by schools for students' whole-person development.
Management of Schools
School education services are regulated by the Education Ordinance. Schools must comply with its provisions, including its subsidiary legislation relating to areas such as registration of schools, teachers and managers, health and safety requirements, fees and charges, and teacher qualifications.
School-based Management
Aided schools are devolved with considerable autonomy and funding flexibility to implement school-based management. In return, they have to be more transparent and accountable in their operation and include all key stakeholders in their governance structure, including school sponsoring body representatives, the principal and elected teacher, parent and alumni representatives and independent members.
School Development and Accountability
The School Development and Accountability Framework seeks to foster sustained school development through school self-evaluation, complemented by the external school review to give schools the benefit of feedback and suggestions for improvement from reviewers with perspectives across schools.
Professional Development at Schools
Teachers' Professional Development
The Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals advises the bureau on policies relating to the professional development of the teaching profession at different career stages and provides a platform for professional sharing, collaboration and networking.
The Chief Executive's Award for Teaching Excellence (CEATE), organised by the bureau, aims to recognise accomplished teachers and foster a culture of excellence in the teaching profession. In the 2014-15 school year, 51 teachers received CEATE awards or certificates of merit.
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