Pledge to meet need for places
Hong Kong will continue its pro-active approach to providing international school places, according to the Deputy Director of Education, Kwan Ting-fai Speaking at an AmCham Education Luncheon Seminar, Mr Kwan said a team had been established to implement the recommendations of the Working Group on the Provision of International School Places.
According to the latest information, an estimated 7,400 additional international school places will be required by the year 2000.
'To meet the additional requirement for international school places in the next five years, we already have three projects in the pipeline.
'These will provide about 3,000 additional places by the year 2000,' he said.
'We are working closely with the Planning Department to find suitable sites for international schools. Some possibilities have been identified. We will further explore their feasibility.' Mr Kwan was confident that the additional requirement for international school places in the next five years would be met.
He added that the team was working hard to establish the procedures for providing the new package of government assistance which was recommended by the Working Group.
'We hope to have the procedures in place as soon as possible to enable the provision of interest-free loans for new international schools and extensions.' Mr Kwan noted that the Working Group had reviewed international school place provision from the quantity and quality perspectives in 1994.
After studying the findings of three commissioned surveys as well as other available material, the working group made several recommendations on the provision of international school places, government financial assistance and admission.
The Education Department will review such requirements annually to keep up with the latest development on the international school scene, Mr Kwan added.
He said the Working Group had also recommended a continuation of land grant at nominal premiums, with an improved application procedure and a new interest-free loan for international schools.
Under the improved procedure for land grant, the Planning Department will search for suitable sites for international schools.
