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Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, at a media session after attending a radio phone-in programme this (February 27) morning:
Reporter: The Education Bureau will introduce the internet subsidies. How are you going to ensure the families that received these subsidies will properly spend the money? And how are you going to help those low-income families who can't even afford computers?
Secretary for Education: I think so far as computer is concerned, there is no lack of opportunity for them to obtain the computers either from NGOs or from schools. I think they are all aware of the service provided that if they want the supply of a computer, there shouldn't be a problem. With regard to the question of whether they will be using the money for this particular purpose, I think we are talking about $1,300 per year. Of course you know this is a very substantial sum, but it is a measure that the government has taken in order to satisfy most of the demand of parents in this particular regard. So if parents are sufficiently concerned about the prospect of their children being able to assess the internet, they shouldn't be using this money for other purposes.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Saturday, February 27, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:35
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