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He added that the team is now working hard at establishing the procedures for providing the new package of government assistance which was recommended by the working group.
"We hope to have the procedures in place as soon as possible to enable the provision of interest-free loan for new international schools and extensions."
Mr Kwan noted that the working group in November 1994 had reviewed international school place provision from quantity and quality perspectives.
After studying the findings of three commissioned surveys as well as available material, the working group made recommendations on the provision of international school places, government financial assistance and admission.
According to the survey, the requirement for additional international school places is estimated to be 7,400 by the year 2000.
The Education Department will review such requirement annually to keep up with the latest development in the international school scene, he added.
Mr Kwan noted that the working group had also recommended a continuation of land grant at nominal premium, with an improved application procedure, and a new interest-free loan specially for international schools.
Under the improved procedure for land grant, the Planning Department will search for suitable sites for international schools and appropriate sponsoring bodies will be invited to apply for land grants.
The interest-free loan is intended to assist the building of new international schools or extensions. The loan will amount up to 100 per cent of the standard cost of building a standard design primary or secondary public sector school.
The working group considered that since international schools now have their own package of financial assistance, there is little justification for them to remain with, or join, the Direct Subsidy Scheme.
"The four international schools already admitted into the DSS will therefore phase out of the scheme when their affected students leave the school," he noted.