Free Kindergarten a la HK Gov

[GeoDerek]

Free education is on track to be extended from 12 to 15 years to include kindergarten.


Education chief Eddie Ng Hak-kim revealed the plan at a forum, saying the government acknowledges the importance of early childhood education.


Accordingly to one source, another option is to give preschoolers HK$16,000 in cash instead of vouchers annually for three years.


"In order to make sure Hong Kong will be able to develop one of the best, most competitive kindergarten education policies, there must be three years of free education," Ng said.


He did not say, however, when the plan will get off the ground.

PLEDGE ON FREE KINDY EDUCATION - The Standard

The Gov has announced that plans are in place to make Kindy classes free. I'm curious how they will determine, with all the different style kindergartens out there, which are deserving of government funding.

At a glance this seems like good news on the education front - a sector that has been producing nothing but depressing headlines for well over a month now.

What do you think about free kindergarten classes?

 

[Jomama1]

This is like an extension of the voucher system. I'd say kindies that are already in the voucher program will continue to get findings from the government, but some kindies do opt out of the voucher scheme so that they have more freedom in designing their school programs and choosing their students (nothing's really free in this world; when an agency provides fundings, there're always requirements). All in all though, I think it is a great step for the government. I just hope there's no hidden agenda behind the funding proposals (such as national education on Kindie kids, haha!).