The Education Bureau (EDB) today (September 30) released a list of kindergartens and kindergarten-cum-child care centres (kindergartens) applying to join the Free Quality Kindergarten Education Scheme in the 2017/18 school year as an initial reference for parents. As at September 30, about 740 kindergartens (about 96 per cent of the eligible kindergartens) have applied to join the Scheme in the 2017/18 school year with relevant basic documents submitted.
 
    An EDB spokesman said, "The free quality kindergarten education policy represents a new milestone in the development of kindergarten education. Under the new policy, the Government will increase substantially the annual expenditure of kindergarten education from about $4 billion to about $6.7 billion in the 2017/18 school year. It is estimated that about 70 per cent to 80 per cent of half-day kindergarten places will be free."
 
    The information listed by district has been uploaded to the EDB website (www.edb.gov.hk/free-quality-kg-edu_en). Those kindergartens having applied to join the Scheme but with the basic documents/information pending are tentatively not included in the list. The list will be updated in due course.    

    The spokesman added, "Whether these kindergartens will be approved to join the Scheme is subject to the vetting of their applications. The EDB is processing the applications, including checking of the information submitted, for instance, whether they will provide free half-day kindergarten services in the 2017/18 school year, vetting of the calculation of individual kindergartens planning to collect school fees, and contacting the kindergartens concerned for details if necessary. The list of kindergartens approved to join the Scheme, together with their estimated school fee level in the 2017/18 school year, will be uploaded onto the EDB website at the end of November 2016 for parents' reference."

    The EDB found the positive response from the kindergarten sector encouraging, and looks forward to a continuous collaboration with the sector and various stakeholders in promoting the sustainable development of free quality kindergarten education.

Ends/Friday, September 30, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:25

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