XN000022-1983-06-28 — Page 7

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TUESDAY, JUNE 28, 1983

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FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME IS A SUCCESS

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THE FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES, INTRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR IS PROVING SUCCESSFUL.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE,

MR JOHN CHAMBERS, WHEN HE OPENED THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON KAIFONG WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION'S TING SUN HUI CHIU NURSERY AT MEI LAM ESTATE, SHA TIN.

+THE SCHEME PROVIDES CHILD CARE SERVICE ON A SUBSIDISED BASIS TO FAMILIES IN NEED, BUT ALSO OPENS THE DOORS OF THESE CENTRES TO FAMILIES WHO CAN AFFORD TO PAY A LARGER PROPORTION OF THE COST,+ HE SAID.

HE NOTED THAT THE DEMAND FOR CHILD CARE CENTRE PLACES HAD STEADILY INCREASED AND THE NEED FOR DAY CARE PROVISION WAS NO LONGER LIMITED TO THE LOWER-INCOME GROUP.

+FAMILIES AT ALL INCOME LEVELS NOW SHARE THE SAME NEED. BECAUSE OF CHANGES IN SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, HE SAID.

THE NURSERY, WHICH PROVIDES PLACES FOR 120 CHILDREN, HAS BEEN FITTED OUT AND FURNISHED WITH A GRANT OF $518 000 FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND AND A DONATION OF $200 000 FROM MADAM TING SUN HUI CHIU, AFTER WHOM THE NURSERY HAS BEEN NAMED.

MR CHAMBERS SAID THE NEW NURSERY WOULD PROVIDE A MOST VALUABLE SERVICE TO FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN LIVING IN THE FAST DEVELOPING SHA TIN NEW TOWN.

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