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The following is issued on behalf of the Quality Education Fund Steering Committee:
The Chairman of the Quality Education Fund (QEF) Steering Committee, Mr Duffy Wong, today (March 20) announced the direction of the QEF, the 11 priority themes for the 2014/15 QEF applications, and the improved application procedures.
Mr Wong said that the QEF, introduced in 1998, has gained recognition and support from the school sector and other stakeholders such as tertiary institutions, parents and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Mr Wong said, "Our schools have strived for excellence in developing school-based programmes in pursuance of their missions and visions. The 2014 Policy Address has placed great emphasis on nurturing the younger generation with a view to promoting lifelong learning and whole-person development. The QEF will continue to support quality projects which offer the younger generation diversified learning opportunities and enhance professional development, leadership and management among teachers and schools.
"Out of the 11 priority themes, the themes on using e-learning for effective learning, promoting whole child development in kindergarten education and catering for learners' diversity are particularly relevant to the emphasis of the Policy Address."
The QEF has simplified the requirements and procedures for applications for grants sought not exceeding $150,000. Each applicant can, on top of the existing quota, submit two such applications at most.
"We expect that these 'mini-applications' could make it easier for schools to take forward school-based, innovative and small improvement measures," Mr Wong said.
Schools are encouraged to submit projects with ideas or practices that meet the needs of students. Schools can also make reference to the successful experiences or good practices of other schools or projects, and add improved and innovative ideas.
"We note that many schools have been organising cross-boundary learning activities with the assistance of the Community Care Fund - School-based Fund for Cross Boundary Learning Activities so that students from low-income families can have more opportunities to participate in such activities with their peers. With more schools recognising the value of such activities and gaining experience in organising them, schools are encouraged to apply for funding for school-based projects involving learning and exchange activities which may take place outside Hong Kong, so as to widen students' horizons and learning experiences," Mr Wong added.
The 11 priority themes for 2014/15 are:
Areas Priority Themes
Learning and * Catering for Learners' Diversity
Teaching * Effective Learning and Teaching
of Languages
* Enhancing Learning & Teaching,
and Assessment Literacy with a
view to Enhancing Student
Learning Outcomes
* Using e-Learning (IT) for
Effective Learning
* Values Education
* Creative Arts and Culture
Education
Support for * Healthy Lifestyle and Positive
Students and Development of Students
School Ethos * Support for Students with
Diverse Needs
* Promoting Whole Child Development
in Kindergarten Education
Management and * Supporting Effective School
Organisation Management and Leadership
* Teacher Development and Wellness
for Promoting Schools as Learning
Organisations
To familiarise potential applicants with the new priority themes and application procedures, the QEF Secretariat will organise targeted briefing sessions for the following groups:
* Primary schools, special schools and school sponsoring bodies (March 28, am);
* Secondary schools and school sponsoring bodies (March 28, pm);
* Kindergartens (April 3, pm);
* NGOs (April 7, pm); and
* Tertiary education institutions (April 9, pm).
Details of the application rules will be uploaded to the QEF website (www.qef.org.hk) on March 24. Apart from holding briefing sessions, the QEF Secretariat will continue to organise regular individual consultation sessions and proposal writing workshops to prospective applicants pertaining to the preparation of proposals.
The QEF will continue to enhance communication with stakeholders and encourages partnership of different sectors with schools to carry out and to share the successful experience of QEF projects. For instance, there are Thematic Networks for the sustainable development and capacity building of teachers. QEF deliverables, such as learning and teaching resources, are available through direct sale at 25 designated bookstores and via mail order and on-line purchase at the QEF website and Hong Kong Education City.
Since its establishment in 1998, the QEF has supported over 8 300 projects and granted over $4 billion, bringing about successful innovative ideas, practices and experiences to raise the quality of education. The QEF processed 433 applications in the 2012/13 school year, among which 147 applications were approved involving a total grant amounting to around $66.8 million. The grants approved in the school year range from $71,800 to $4,116,000.
Ends/Thursday, March 20, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:45
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