Release of Study on the Longer Term Development of Child Development Fund Project Participants report
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In 2015, the LWB commissioned the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong and Policy 21 Limited to conduct the Study on the Longer Term Development of Child Development Fund Project Participants (the Study) in order to assess the benefits that CDF projects have brought to the participants and the longer-term influence on them.
The Study compares the development situation of the CDF participants with non-CDF-participants from similar family and economic backgrounds (the Comparison Group). The results indicated that there were significant differences between the CDF participants and the Comparison Group in the following areas:
(1) CDF participants had greater motivation and pleasure in learning and studying, and had higher academic expectations. Eighty per cent (80.1 per cent) of the CDF participants expected to gain a bachelor's degree or above, while only 64.3 per cent of respondents from the Comparison Group had the same expectation;
(2) CDF participants reported less problematic behaviours, such as hyperactive behaviour, emotional problems, conduct problems, peer problems and truancy;
(3) CDF participants reported higher levels of social support;
(4) CDF participants displayed higher levels of positive exploration of and commitment to the goals of their future education, jobs and careers; and
(5) CDF participants were more likely to have a savings habit. About three quarters (77.6 per cent) of the CDF participants maintained a savings habit after completing CDF projects, compared to only 43.6 per cent in the Comparison Group.
Moreover, there were also positive changes in CDF participants' siblings. For instance, they were more willing to meet people, had developed personal plans for their future and had successfully developed a persistent savings habit.
The Child Development Fund (CDF) was founded in 2008. It aims to facilitate the longer-term development of children from disadvantaged backgrounds with a view to alleviating intergenerational poverty. So far the CDF has a funding of $600 million. A total of 145 projects in nine batches have been launched, benefiting more than 13 500 children.
The Executive Summary and the full report of the Study have been uploaded to the website of the Child Development Fund (www.cdf.gov.hk/english/aboutcdf/effectiveness.html).
Ends/Sunday, June 18, 2017
Issued at HKT 10:15
Issued at HKT 10:15
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