XN000022-1987-04-30 — Page 5

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THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1987

THE MAIN FEATURE OF THE HALL IS THE AUDITORIUM WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE 880 SPECTATORS. IT IS USED AS THE MAIN VENUE FOR MANY CULTURAL PRESENTATIONS IN THE DISTRICT SUCH AS THE ANNU AL YUEN LONG ARTS FESTIVAL.

BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE, SIR DAVID ATTENDED A RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION CLUBHOUSE AND WAS PRESENTED WITH A SOUVENIR BY THE BOARD'S CHAIRMAN, MR TAI KUEN,

CHANGES TO LOCAL STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME ANNOUNCED

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THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) TWO CHANGES TO THE LOCAL STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME WHICH OFFERS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF GRANTS AND LOANS TO FULL-TIME STUDENTS OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, THE TWO POLYTECHNICS AND THE BAPTIST COLLEGE.

THE CHANGES ARE MADE FOLLOWING A REVIEW CONDUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN RESPONSE TO SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE IN 1986.

THE CHANGES WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE 1987-88 ACADEMIC YEAR ARE:

(A) THE APPORTIONMENT OF ANNUAL DISPOSABLE INCOME (ADI)

BETWEEN GRANTS AND LOANS IS REVISED FROM THE RATIO OF 50:50 TO 60:40: AND

(B)

AN INTEREST OF 2.5 PER CENT P.A. WILL BE CHARGED ON LOANS.

IN DECIDING TO IMPLEMENT THESE CHANGES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN FULLY INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON STUDENT FINANCE.

+THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS CHANGED ITS BASIC POLICY WHICH IS THAT NO STUDENT WHO IS OFFERED A PLACE IN ANY OF THE FIVE TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE RENDERED UNABLE TO ACCEPT THAT PLACE BECAUSE OF LACK OF MONEY, + A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

+ASSISTANCE WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE THE FORM OF BOTH GRANTS AND LOANS,+ HE ADDED.

THE CHANGES