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EDUCATION

UK-HK Joint Funding Scheme

Under the joint funding arrangement between the governments of the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, grants are available on the basis of need to full-time students attending first degree or higher diploma courses in the United Kingdom, to meet the difference between fees charged to home students and those charged to overseas students. During the year grants of £4.4 million and loans of $28.8 million were paid to 1 782 students.

UK-HK Scholarships

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These scholarships are aimed at providing educational opportunities at tertiary level in the United Kingdom for outstanding students from Hong Kong. The scholarship fund comprises £250,000, contributed equally by the United Kingdom Government and the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club on behalf of the Hong Kong Government. Twelve scholarships were awarded in 1991.

Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund

The Fund was established in April 1987 to manage public donations made in memory of the late Governor, Sir Edward Youde, who passed away in service in December 1986. Its aim is to promote education and learning among Hong Kong people, and to encourage research. In the 1991-2 academic year a total of $6.1 million was disbursed. Thirteen students were awarded fellowships and scholarships for postgraduate or undergraduate study overseas. Locally, 42 postgraduate research students were awarded fellowships, while 83 undergraduate, diploma and certificate students received scholarships. Five students excelling in public examinations, 15 disabled students in tertiary institutions and secondary/post secondary schools, and 600 senior secondary students who were nominated by school heads also received awards from the fund.

In addition to these funds, a large number of scholarships for school students have been endowed by private benefactors. These are administered by the department under the Education Scholarships Fund Ordinance. Certain other charitable trust funds also provide scholarships.

Schools and Kindergartens Kindergartens

In September 1991, 193 658 children in the three to five year age group were enrolled in 767 kindergartens. All kindergartens are privately operated, an increasing number on a non-profit-making basis which renders them eligible for rent and rates rebates. They may also be allocated premises in public housing estates. Most kindergartens operate two half-day sessions, but the number of whole-day places is increasing.

A new fee remission scheme was introduced in August 1990 for needy parents with children in kindergartens. Assistance available ranges from 25 to 100 per cent of the weighted average of fees charged by non-profit-making kindergartens. Revisions to the scheme in August 1991 enabled considerably more parents to receive assistance.

Professional advice to kindergarten managers, teachers, parents and the public is given by the department. It produces curriculum development materials and runs basic training courses, seminars, workshops and exhibitions to help kindergarten heads and teachers develop their professional standards. The department publishes guidelines to help teachers organise the curriculum and learning activities.