XN000022-1990-04-04 — Page 44

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1990

MOVE TO WIDEN SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY

A BILL TO WIDEN THE ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS GRANTED UNDER THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON ADOLF HSU, SAID THE BILL WOULD ENABLE THE FUND TO BE APPLIED MORE FLEXIBLY FOR ITS DECLARED PURPOSES.

THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1955 FOR THE PROMOTION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.

"TO THIS END, THE INCOME OF THE FUND IS APPLIED FOR THE PROVISION OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND MAINTENANCE GRANTS FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS, AND FINANCIAL NEED HAS BEEN THE MAIN CRITERION SUCH AWARDS, MR HSU. SAID.

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FOR MAKING

HE NOTED THAT IN RECENT YEARS WHILE THE RECURRENT INCOME OF THE FUND ARISING FROM INVESTMENTS HAD INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN DECLINING STEADILY, APPARENTLY BECAUSE OF A MORE AFFLUENT COMMUNITY, THUS RESULTING IN A GROWING ANNUAL SURPLUS.

THE

"IN ORDER TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE FUND AND THEREBY FURTHER OBJECTIVE OF PROMOTING AND ENCOURAGING LOCAL EDUCATION, IT IS PROPOSED THAT SCHOLARSHIPS MAY BE GRANTED ON THE BASIS OF ACADEMIC AND OTHER RELEVANT ACHIEVEMENTS, IN ADDITION TO THOSE GRANTED BASIS OF FINANCIAL NEED," HE SAID.

ON THE

NOTING THAT THE PROPOSAL HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND COMMITTEE, MR HSU SAID: "CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL AMENDS SECTION 5 OF THE ORDINANCE BY REMOVING A PROVISION WHICH LIMITS THE RECIPIENTS OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO THOSE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE."

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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