Hong Kong briefs, June 28, 2015
Hong Kong briefs, June 28, 2015
Elderly Hongkongers can now travel on green minibuses carrying a special logo for a HK$2 fare as the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme is extended to cover 55 routes, with 19 more minibus operators joining the scheme from today. People aged 65 and above as well as persons with 100 per cent disabilities are eligible for the discount.
Customs officers seized some 210,000 suspected illicit cigarettes worth HK$1 million in market value and duty potential during an anti-smuggling operation in Lau Fau Shan yesterday morning.
Lamma Island's Lo So Shing Beach was closed because of an oil spill that covered 300 square metres, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department said yesterday. The beach will be closed until further notice.
Education minister Eddie Ng Hak-kim yesterday called for schools not to drill pupils for the city-wide system assessment, which includes exams in Chinese, English and mathematics for Primary 3 and 6 and Secondary 3. Educators and parents have criticised the exams for putting children under pressure in exercises and drills. Ng said the purpose of the exams was basic learning assessment and there was no need to put pressure on pupils.
More than 300 schools have formed ties with more than 400 mainland schools to boost mutual exchanges under the government's "sister school scheme", which will subsidise each participating school HK$120,000 a year for organising various exchange activities. Some HK$190 million has been set aside for the scheme over three years from the next financial year.
