TNAG-1073-FCO40-1323-Policy-of-the-Government-of-Hong-Kong-on-education-including-1981 — Page 75

Chapter 9

Financial Assistance for Pre-primary Care and Education

Existing Policy

9.1

The Child Care Centres Ordinance and Regulations are designed to ensure that these centres provide a standard of service which is of benefit to children physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. The Government subsidizes child care places so that children with a need for care can receive it at a cost their parents can afford.

9.2

There is no Government subvention or scheme of fee assistance for kindergartens. This is attributable mainly to the heavy commitment of resources in expanding other sectors of education. This policy is set out in the White Paper, "Education Policy", of April 1965 which states that "... it will be necessary to rely on voluntary organisations and private enterprise to provide education at this level. The Education Department will, however, assist by providing advisory services and facilities for in-service training

courses.".

9.3

At present, assistance to child care centres and kindergartens is provided as follows:-

(a) advisory and supervisory services to ensure

acceptable standard of care and education;

an

(b) pre-service and in-service training facilities

for child care workers;

(c) limited in-service training facilities for

kindergarten teachers;

(d) the subvention of non-profit-making voluntary agencies running child care centres of an approved standard, for children who cannot be cared for by their parents and where there is a financial and social need;

(e) allocation of land to sponsors of non-profit-

making child care centres and kindergartens;

(f) accommodation for child care centres in public

housing estates, estate welfare buildings and community centres for allocation to non-profit- making agencies at a welfare rent;

(g) reimbursement of rates paid by non-profit-making

child care centres and kindergartens;

(h) reimbursement of rents paid by non-profit-

making child care centres in public housing estates;

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