SAR Government gives high priority to improve level of education

People are the most valuable assets of an economy. Education plays a vital role in promoting the prosperity and progress of an economy.

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has given high priority to education at all levels. Every year, a lot of public money is spent on education. In 1998-99, approved public spending on education amounted to $51 billion. It was 18 per cent of the total public expenditure in that year.

Hong Kong's overall educa tional aim is to see that young people get an all-round quality education. This will prepare them for life and work and also prepare them to make learning a life-long experience.

The Government provides nine years of free and universal basic education. Each child between the ages of six and 15 is entitled to a free school place.

Over 80 per cent of the children in the appropriate age group are provided with higher secondary level or technical education at highly subsidised rates.

Higher education, accounting for one-third of the education budget, has also developed rapidly in the past 10 years.