Only three government secondary schools will be allowed to switch to the direct subsidy scheme, a move intended to stem an exodus of elite institutions from the public sector. Approving more than three would cause instability, an Education Department source said. There are 36 government secondary schools. A number of government schools are keeping an eye on Belilios Public School in Tin Hau and the Kwun Tong Government School which are considering switching to the scheme. Other schools may want to follow suit if the switch goes smoothly. The two schools will give the department their teachers' views and hope it will draft detailed proposals as soon as possible. The issues include the staff retirement scheme and how to handle teachers not willing to stay at the schools. 'All these problems have to be resolved by the Education Department. But we failed to contact them in the past few days. Perhaps they are still assessing the impact of the switch,' said Deborah Yeung Lam Sui-hing, principal of Kwun Tong Government School. She said the proposal had provoked a 'strong reaction' from some teachers. The direct subsidy scheme began in the early 1990s. Secondary schools operating under the scheme enjoy greater flexibility and autonomy than public sector schools. The government subsidy received by each of the 18 secondary schools already taking part in the scheme depends on the number of students admitted. Fees are charged. It is understood that, at a meeting with principals of government schools this year, Director of Education Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun asked whether they were interested in joining the subsidy scheme. School principals have said off the record that the Government might wish to encourage a number of schools to switch to the scheme to reduce the burden on government coffers. 'Fanny Law has a firm belief in privatisation and diversity in the education sector,' said Cheung Man-kwong, who represents educators in the Legislative Council. Tang Shiu Kin Victoria Government Secondary School principal Chiu Suk-fan supports the scheme although she has no intention of joining it now. 'The schools can enjoy more autono my under the scheme. I don't think the schools interested are trying to evade the education reforms,' she said. Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School principal Ko Wing-kau said he did not support the scheme. 'The scheme will exacerbate divisions in society since only well-off families can afford the school fees,' he said. CEDREFGET
