Hong Kong kindergartens to get subsidies for labour and rent, but principals and lawmakers critical
Concerns aired that school fees would still need to be paid and veteran teachers could be let go
A plan by the Hong Kong education officials to subsidise labour and rental costs for kindergartens to achieve free education has drawn the ire of principals and lawmakers.
A rental subsidy is also to be provided, which would be 50 per cent of the open market rental rate or 15 per cent of the basic subsidy for kindergartens with half-day services, whichever is lower.
Kindergartens renting from the government at a concessionary rate would be eligible for between 25 and 100 per cent of the rent subject to the fill-up rate.
The bureau said the subsidy should in principle be sufficient for kindergartens offering half-day services, hence these schools should not charge school fees. Parents with children in whole-day or long whole-day services would have to pay a subsidised school fee at a low amount because of higher operating costs arising from longer operating hours.