Policy Address

Ethnic Minorities and New Arrivals

129.     To enhance support for non-Chinese speaking (NCS) students to learn Chinese, the Education Bureau (EDB) has provided the Chinese Language Curriculum Second Language Learning Framework (Learning Framework) with supporting learning and teaching materials for secondary and primary schools.  An Applied Learning Chinese Language Course (for NCS students) pegged to the Qualifications Framework has also been provided at the senior secondary level starting from this school year in phases.  We will enhance school-based professional support and provide professional training programmes for teachers, and have implemented the Professional Enhancement Grant Scheme and significantly increased the additional funding for schools to facilitate implementation of the Learning Framework and creation of an inclusive learning environment in schools.

130.     The service centre proposed to be established in Kwai Tsing last year has come into operation and ethnic minorities have been recruited to provide further support.

131.     In 2015-16, the Employees Retraining Board will offer 1 300 and 800 places in dedicated training courses for new arrivals and ethnic minorities respectively to enhance their employment opportunities.

132.     We will extend the Expectation Management Programmes implemented in Shenzhen and Guangdong Province to Fujian Province in July this year to help prospective settlers acquire a better understanding of the circumstances in Hong Kong before they decide to live here.

Building Community Networks

133.     The Community Investment and Inclusion Fund plans to deploy resources in the next few years to build mutual help networks among residents of new PRH estates.  Four projects are expected to be rolled out in 2015 in estates completed or redeveloped in recent years. 

Social Welfare Planning

134.     We are actively following up some 60 projects under the Special Scheme on Privately Owned Sites for Welfare Uses to help social welfare organisations provide additional social welfare facilities, particularly for the elderly and rehabilitation services, through in-situ expansion or redevelopment.  The Government is now examining the revised proposals submitted by the organisations.  Five projects are expected to be completed by 2017-18, providing about 100 places for subsidised elderly service and 450 places for subsidised rehabilitation service in total.

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