Schools have been urged not to waste money buying government officials expensive souvenirs to mark their visits.
A circular issued by the Education Department has requested schools not to purchase gifts for officials who speak or act as guests of honour at functions. They are advised to spend the money for the benefit of their students instead.
It also suggests schools purchase certificates of appreciation from the Community Chest under the 'Give a souvenir for the Chest', scheme that Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun initiated when she was Director of Education.
'I have several boxes of certificates and I feel great about combining charity work with official duties,' she told the South China Morning Post. 'I hope more organisations will join the scheme, instead of paying for expensive plaques and crystals.'
Rosanna Wong Yick-ming, chairman of the Education Commission and director of Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, also said 'fanfare culture' was unnecessary.
She had no objections, though, to students offering gifts they have made. 'I believe that appreciation is a sound value that we need to instil in young people,' she said.