Grant for schools to purchase notebook computers
Following is a question by the Hon Yeung Yiu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower,Mrs Fanny Law, in the Legislative Council(in Chinese):
Question:
The Chief Executive indicated in his 2000 Policy Address that $200 million would be allocated from the Quality Education Fund for public sector secondary schools to purchase notebook computers for needy students to borrow. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the criteria used in determining the allocation amount;
(b) how the fund will be allocated among various public sector secondary schools;
(c) of the estimated number of students benefiting from the plan;
(d) whether it has set the specifications for the notebook computers; if so, of the details; and
(e) of the party who will bear the maintenance responsibility and costs for these computers?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a), (c) & (e) The primary beneficiaries of the scheme are students from low income families who cannot afford to buy computers for use at home. We estimate that about 40 000 secondary school students currently in receipt of full financial assistance under the various schemes run by the Student Financial Assistance Agency (SFAA), or whose families are in receipt of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) will benefit.
Assuming that one notebook computer will be shared between two students, about 20 000 notebook computers are required. We estimate that about $200 million is required to cover the cost of the notebook computers, and the cost of maintenance and security measures for storing the computers. The computer vendor will be responsible for maintenance. The Quality Education Fund (QEF) has agreed in-principle to fund the proposed scheme.
If the scheme turns out to be popular and the demand exceeds our estimate, we may consider increasing the allocation from the QEF.
(b) The grant will be disbursed to schools upon application. To facilitate the process, school councils will co-ordinate the applications and prepare a consolidated application to the QEF. The amount of grant a school receives will be proportional to the number of students in receipt of full SFAA assistance or whose families are CSSA recipients.
(d) Detailed specifications of the notebook computers will be worked out by the school councils and the Education Department, and will include the following common specifications for educational use:
* 500MHz central processing unit; * 64MB RAM memory capacity;
* 4GB hard disk;
* 24X CD-ROM drive;
* Chinese Windows operating system (with English Windows operating system as an option);
* anti-virus utility;
* system utilities;
* web publishing tool; and
* built-in modem.
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