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Following is a question by the Hon Tommy Cheung and a reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, in the Legislative Council today (May 9):
Question:
It has been learnt that the Government expects serving kindergarten (KG) teachers to obtain the Certificate in Early Childhood Education (ECE) qualification by the 2011-2012 school year. In this regard, since the 2007-2008 school year, teachers who work in KGs not joining or not eligible for the Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme (PEVS) may claim reimbursement for up to 50% of the fees for one approved ECE diploma or degree course, capped at $60,000. As for teachers working in KGs eligible for PEVS, they may receive no less than the same amount of course fee reimbursement as teachers of the above KGs. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council :
(a) whether, according to the above arrangement, teachers of KGs eligible for PEVS will receive more subsidies than those of non-eligible KGs; if so, whether it has assessed if such an arrangement is unfair, and whether it will reduce the opportunities for those teachers who work in non-eligible KGs and cannot afford the course fees to pursue further studies and seek employment in future, as well as adversely affect the development of the qualifications of teachers in such KGs; if it has made such an assessment, of the results; and
(b) given that according to the above arrangement, teachers receiving subsidies are required to pay the course fees in full first and then apply for partial reimbursement afterwards, how the Government will assist those teachers who are unable to pay the full fees first?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The 2006-07 Policy Address announced the implementation of Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme (PEVS), providing direct subsidy to parents, and at the same time subsidising kindergarten (KG) principals and teachers in upgrading their professional qualifications. Each non-profit-making KG joining the PEVS will be granted a teacher development subsidy from the 2007/08 to 2011/12 school years (see Remarks) covering course fee reimbursement of approved courses, appointment of supply teachers or provision of school-based professional development programmes. We expect all serving teachers to complete the C(ECE) qualification in the next five years, and encourage KG principals to pursue further training so as to possess the qualification of a degree in ECE before the 2011/12 school year. KGs joining the scheme can use the subsidy flexibly in accordance with the ambit. However, these KGs should work out their individual staff development plan with reference to their staff profile. The staff development policy and the criteria for allocation of financial support should be fair, open and transparent.
To encourage principals and teachers of KGs not under the PEVS to study and raise their professional qualifications, the Government will also provide subsidy for their professional development. They are entitled to claim up to 50% of the fees for one approved ECE diploma or degree course, capped at $60,000, until the end of the 2011/12 school year. The Government in parallel provides subsidy for principals and teachers of such KGs in order to encourage the upgrading of the quality of pre-primary education as a whole and to provide training opportunities. We expect that this measure can effectively encourage principals and teachers in need to upgrade their professional qualification. Pre-primary education will continue its multi-facet development.
(b) With respect to the mechanism of course fee reimbursement, EMB will reimburse course fee on a yearly basis to principals or teachers for having successfully completed part of the course in that school year. We believe that this will relieve the financial burden of individual principals and teachers. If necessary, principals or teachers on training can apply for non-means tested loan provided by Student Financial Assistance Agency to pay for the course fee.
Remarks: The amount of subsidy is calculated on the basis of the number of eligible pupils. The amount of subsidy will be $3,000 per pupil per annum for the 2007/08 and 2008/09 school years; and $2,000 per pupil per annum for the 2009/10 and 2010/11 school years.
Ends/Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:35
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