ESF to keep funding for special needs services

As the biggest provider of English-medium primary and secondary education for students with special needs, the English Schools Foundation will retain government support for such services.

The government now gives HK$28.3 million a year to the Jockey Club Sarah Roe School and learning support centres in ESF schools.

The grant will continue despite the phasing out of the main funding pending a wider review of support for students with special needs.

While students with mild learning difficulties join mainstream classes, those with medium difficulties attend centres within ESF schools, and those with severe problems attend Sarah Roe.

There are 116 secondary and 84 primary places at the centres, while Sarah Roe School has 60 places for children aged five to 18.

ESF chief executive Heather Du Quesnay warned there was no guarantee the subsidy would continue and hoped the funding would be increased in recognition of the work.

Meanwhile, subject to legislative approval, the government will provide HK$270 million to re-build Island School. The grant is equal to 100 per cent of the cost of building a standard public school of the same size.