LCQ4: Number and use of vacant school premises
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    Following is a question by the Hon Tam Yiu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, in the Legislative Council today (March 22):

Question:

     Will the Government inform this Council :

(a)  of the current number of vacant school premises in each administrative district, their addresses, the names of the schools last occupying such premises, the intended future use of such premises as well as the implementation timetable in this regard; and

(b)  whether it plans to convert some of the vacant school premises for use as community centres; if so, of the details of such plans; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a)  Since the implementation of revised arrangements for the consolidation of primary schools in the 2003/04 school year, 13 primary schools without Primary 1 have already ceased operation (from 2003/04 school year to 2005/06 school year inclusive).  A list showing the name, address and proposed use of these 13 relevant premises is set out at Annex.  

     Among the 13 premises vacated up to the 2005/06 school year, the ex-premises of LST Lau Sai Yan Primary School will be used as an onscreen marking centre of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority with effect from April 2006, tentatively.  

(b)  The rest are small premises located in remote areas and found unsuitable to be used further for educational purposes.  Some of these premises have been returned or are in the process of being returned to the Government.  For those managed by Lands Department, we understand that the department has received applications for using some of the premises for the running of community facilities and is processing these applications in consultation with the relevant bureaux and departments.  Since the applications are initiated by members of the public, the Administration is not in a position to disclose details at this stage.    

Ends/Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 13:01

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