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Following is a question by the Dr Hon Kenneth Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, in the Legislative Council today (December 3):
Question:
Currently, the Education Bureau (EDB) has stipulated the ceilings on the application fee and registration fee which kindergartens (KGs) may collect from parents of each student; and KGs must obtain prior approval from EDB before they may collect an application fee or registration fee exceeding the relevant ceiling. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it knows, in respect of the KGs in each District Council (DC) district in each of the past three school years, (i) the number of enrolment applications received and the total amount of application fees collected by each KG on average, (ii) the name of the KG among them which collected the highest application fee and the amount involved, and (iii) the name of the KG among them which collected the highest total amount of application fees and the amount involved;
(2) whether it knows, in respect of the KGs in each DC district in each of the past three school years, (i) the total amount of registration fees collected by each KG on average, and the total amount of such registration fees forfeited by each KG on average because the parents of students finally gave up the school places, (ii) the name of the KG among them which collected the highest registration fee and the amount involved, (iii) the name of the KG among them which collected the highest total amount of registration fees and the amount involved, and (iv) the name of the KG among them which forfeited the highest total amount of registration fees and the amount involved;
(3) of the respective numbers of applications received by EDB in the past three school years for collection of an application fee or registration fee exceeding the relevant ceilings, and set out the following information of each application by name of school: (i) the amount of application fee or registration fee proposed to be collected, (ii) the grounds for making the application, and (iii) the application outcome; and
(4) whether it has comprehensively reviewed the requirement on collection of application fees and registration fees by KGs as well as the mechanism for vetting and approval of applications for collection of an application fee or registration fee exceeding the relevant ceiling; if it has, of the details and the latest progress of the review; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
My reply to the Dr Hon Kenneth Chan's question is as follows:
(1) and (2) According to section 61(1) of the Education Regulations, schools must first obtain the written approval of the Permanent Secretary for Education before collecting any fees whatsoever other than the inclusive fees as printed on the fees certificate, including entrance examination fee (commonly known as application fee) and pupil registration fee. To streamline schools' administrative procedures, the Education Bureau (EDB) has set the approved ceilings for application fee and registration fee of kindergartens (KGs) and approved KGs to collect the fees within the approved ceilings. The requirements and approved ceilings have been set out in the related EDB circular. Schools that wish to collect fees exceeding the approved ceilings are required to seek the prior approval from the EDB.
KGs can determine their own level of application fee or registration fee within the approved ceilings without notifying the EDB. Furthermore, student admission is a school-based matter. Having regard to their own circumstances, KGs should draw up appropriate arrangements according to the EDB's requirements. KGs are not required to provide the EDB with information on the number of admission applications received, the total amount of application fee and registration fee collected, and the total amount of registration fee forfeited for cases where the parents subsequently decline the school places offered for their children. Owing to the above-mentioned measures and actual administrative arrangements, the EDB is unable to supply the required information.
(3) The respective numbers of applications received and approved by the EDB in the past three school years (i.e. 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14) for collection of an application fee or registration fee by KGs, which exceeds the approved ceilings are set out in the Annex. It is not appropriate to disclose application details of individual KGs (including their names, the proposed amount of application fee or registration fee, as well as grounds and outcome of their applications) as they cover data concerning KGs' operation and internal matters. That said, the EDB has included information on the permissible amount of application fee and registration fee of individual KGs in the online version of the Profile of Kindergartens and Kindergarten-cum-Child Care Centres for access by parents and the public.
(4) The EDB conducted a review of the approved ceilings of application fee and registration fee in early 2014 and KGs were notified of the revised approved ceilings via a circular issued in April 2014.
KGs that wish to collect application fee or registration fee at a level exceeding the approved ceilings shall submit an application together with justifications to the EDB. Given the great diversity in KGs in terms of their operation, the EDB will consider each application in the light of the specific situation of individual KGs and the justifications they put forward, including the additional expenses incurred for handling applications and admission related matters.
Ends/Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:35
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