Hand up scheme for disadvantaged Hong Kong youngsters does not go far enough, experts say
- Academics warn government-backed ‘Strive and Rise’ scheme will not tackle problems of intergenerational poverty on its own
- Charity leader says more long-term commitment required to ensure underprivileged children are lifted out of poverty cycle
A programme designed to help lift struggling Hong Kong secondary school pupils out of poverty is “half-baked”, experts have said.
Academics and social workers insisted that the government-organised scheme, the first from John Lee Ka-chiu’s administration to target intergenerational poverty, was not enough on its own and other major problems such as the housing crisis and low incomes had to be tackled as well.
“There must be elements of continuity in the scheme,” said Amy Chan Kung Wai-ying, the chairwoman of the Child Development Matching Fund, a charity that has worked with the government to deliver similar programmes since 2009.
“The government should provide a ladder for them and also keep helping them move up along the way.”
She was speaking after details of the programme were revealed on Monday by a high-level government task force set up to tackle intergenerational poverty.
But Ma Miaoyi, a single parent who shares a tiny subdivided flat with her 13-year-old son, said the programme, although not perfect, could still give her child a boost and hope for the future.