HK Budget 2011: Extra Funds for Education Includes Boost for Mainland Exchanges

Hong Kong — The government will spend more than $54 million on education this year, accounting for 22.5% for recurrent government expenditure, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah said in his budget speech Wednesday.

The money will go toward support for students from low-income families, after-school homework guidance, scholarship awards, and a Mainland Experience Scheme for post-secondary students.

“I propose to allocate $100 million to launch a five-year pilot scheme to subsidise on a matching basis local tertiary students participating in short-term internship or learning programmes in the mainland, including visits, exchanges or voluntary services,” Tsang said.