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Education

Support Programmes for Needy Students

In the 2013-14 school year, 877 schools and 183 non-governmental organisations received subsidies under the School-based After-school Learning and Support Programmes for organising activities to help some 209,000 needy students improve their learning effectiveness, broaden their learning experience outside the classroom and raise their understanding of the community and sense of belonging.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Life-wide Learning Fund, established by the EDB and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, allocated about $69.84 million to 944 participating schools during the 2012-13 school year, providing financial aid to around 230,000 students in need from Primary 1 to Secondary 6 to participate in activities organised or recognised by schools for students' whole-person development.

Regulatory Framework and Governance Government's Role and Organisation

The Secretary for Education, who heads the EDB, formulates, develops and reviews educational policies, secures funds from the government budget, and oversees the implementation of educational programmes with the assistance of the Permanent Secretary for Education.

Education Ordinance

School education services are regulated by the Education Ordinance. Schools must comply with its provisions including its subsidiary legislation relating to areas such as registration of schools, teachers and managers, health and safety requirements, fees and charges, and teacher qualifications.

Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance

The Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance governs the registration and operation of post- secondary colleges. As at December 2013, there were six approved post-secondary colleges. registered under the ordinance Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Caritas Institute of Higher Education, Chu Hai College of Higher Education, Hang Seng Management College, Tung Wah College and Centennial College.

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Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance

The Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance regulates non-local courses conducted in Hong Kong through a system of registration to ensure that the standard of the courses and qualifications are comparable to those of their home countries. It protects Hong Kong consumers by guarding against the marketing of sub-standard courses. As at December 2013, 1,173 non-local courses were registered or exempted from registration under the ordinance.

Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications Legislation

The Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications Ordinance provides a legal framework for the establishment of the Qualifications Framework (QF) and the Qualifications Register, and the underpinning quality assurance mechanism. The Hong Kong Council for

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