BEIJING has refused to make a firm commitment on education spending despite repeated appeals from legislators.
In an amended copy of the education bill, delivered to the National People's Congress (NPC) yesterday, the Government insisted the state should 'gradually' increase its input.
This has disappointed some Hong Kong deputies, who think Beijing should pledge a relatively high percentage of the gross national product (GNP) each year to education.
It is understood the State Council has refrained from making a commitment in order to maintain flexibility.
Local educationist and NPC deputy Ng Hong-man said the authorities had addressed most of their concerns.
But he said the Hong Kong deputies demanded education spending be fixed at four per cent of the nation's GNP by the end of the century.