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Hong KongEducation

Hong Kong anti-graft body issues rules for kindergartens as they prepare to receive hefty government subsidy

Eligible institutions will receive HK$6.7 billion a year in public money from the coming school year to implement free kindergarten education

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Kindergartens have been advised to follow the ICAC guidelines. Photo: Edmond So
Peace Chiu
The city’s anti-corruption watchdog has issued a set of rules specifically for kindergartens as they get ready to receive more than HK$6 billion in public money to implement free education in that sector next year.

Yvonne Mui Yee-yu, who handles graft prevention at the Independent Commission Against Corruption, said while guidelines were already in place for schools from kindergarten to secondary level, there was a need to introduce a sample code of conduct specially for kindergartens to “improve the standard of integrity” as a considerable amount of public money – HK$6.7 billion a year – would be channelled to them.

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The free education scheme, first announced by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying in his policy address earlier this year, will see eligible non-profit-making kindergartens receive subsidies, ­including basic financial support ranging from HK$33,190 to HK$53,100 per student per ­annum, to cover salaries and ­other operating costs starting in the 2017-18 school year.

Mui, who is the department’s principal corruption prevention officer, said unlike primary and secondary schools, parents tended to support activities in kindergartens more actively as the students were younger.

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“If this closer relationship is not handled well, it will affect the kindergarten’s reputation or even break the law,” Mui said.

The sample code includes guidelines on soliciting and ­accepting advantages and managing conflict of interest.

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