Grants, help for non-Chinese speakers
The Education Department will provide a block grant for schools to design school- based support programmes for non-Chinese speaking (NCS) children in the coming school year, the department has announced.
The grant aims to help NCS children integrate into the local education system.
'The grant of $2,750 per primary school child and $4,080 per secondary student is the same as that for newly arrived children from the mainland,' a department spokesman said.
In addition to the school- based scheme, the department will provide subsidies for non-government groups to run induction programmes for NCS children.
Such programmes could cover subjects such as Cantonese, basic life education and local habits.
Currently, all children aged six to 15, including NCS children, are required to attend primary or secondary schools.
'The department is committed to providing sufficient school places for NCS children. Our regional education offices are ready to help them with placement,' the spokesman said.
The department will step up publicity on the provision of support services for NCS children. It will also inform schools and urge them to provide appropriate services for the students.
