Children from a disadvantaged background still have only limited access to extra-curricular activities, despite the government's vow to usher in an equal learning environment, says an education concern group.
After studying 16 poor families for a year, the Alliance for Children Development Rights has concluded that student subsidies lag behind in helping these youngsters take part in after-school activities.
The Student Financial Assistance Agency provides needy children with financial support in commuting, textbook purchases and internet access.
'Without government subsidies, parents at the grass-roots level can hardly spare any money to send their kids to after-school activities,' alliance social worker Lam Man-wa said. 'Most of them barely make ends meet.'
The Education Bureau says that primary and secondary school pupils - whose families receive Comprehensive Social Security Assistance and a full grant under the Student Financial Assistance Scheme - are entitled to participate in a school-based after-school learning and support programme.
In the 2011-12 academic year, 871 primary and secondary schools participated in the scheme, and about 228,000 students benefited.