First Kindergarten Premises Allocation Exercise 2022 invites applications for six kindergarten premises
*************************************************
The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (January 25) that six kindergarten premises are open for application by eligible applicant bodies under the First Kindergarten Premises Allocation Exercise 2022. Details of the six kindergarten premises are set out in the Annex.
“The six kindergarten premises include four new estate kindergarten premises, each with six or seven classrooms, located in Tung Chung, North District and Tuen Mun District and to be available in 2022, and one existing estate kindergarten premises with eight classrooms, located in Tai Po District. The EDB is entrusted by the Hong Kong Housing Authority to nominate operators for the kindergarten premises. The sixth kindergarten premises with six classrooms is co-located with a primary school in Sai Kung District and will be available in 2025. The Exercise will be carried out on a competitive basis,” a spokesman for the EDB said.
In light of the decline in the kindergarten student population, the existing kindergartens joining the kindergarten education scheme (Scheme-KGs) are able to provide sufficient places to meet the demand. However, there are differences in the demand and supply of kindergarten places and parents’ preferences in various districts. Moreover, under the quality kindergarten education policy, the EDB endeavours to look for suitable sites for kindergartens in need. Kindergartens, especially those facing high rental expenses, dilapidated school environments and facilities, and a surplus of kindergarten places in the district, are encouraged to apply for the above-mentioned kindergarten premises for relocation. The EDB will accord priority to Scheme-KGs applying for relocation.
Applications for operating new kindergartens will only be considered if no suitable applicants are found for relocation.
The EDB will assess each application based on the criteria set by the School Allocation Committee (SAC) for selecting suitable applicant bodies. The EDB will provide a template for preparation of the operation plan and will set out the selection criteria endorsed by the SAC in the “Points to Note” for applicant bodies’ reference. In short, quality of education is the prime consideration. The EDB will take into account the operation plan of the applicant bodies, the track record of the kindergartens and their needs for relocation (if applicable). The EDB will regularly report to the SAC the results of the kindergarten premises allocation exercises.
The spokesman added, “The EDB launched a two-year Pilot Scheme on Relocation Grant for Kindergartens in August 2020 (for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 school years) to alleviate kindergartens’ financial burden in improving the school environment. Each successful applicant will receive a grant of $1.5 million. In order to further encourage more kindergartens to relocate to government-owned kindergarten premises, the EDB has extended the Relocation Grant to the 2022/23 school year. For details, please refer to EDB Circular Memorandum No. 119/2021.”
Applicant bodies should complete the application form and information on the operation plan and submit them together with the relevant supporting documents and a list of operating schools run by the applicant body, if any. When submitting the application, the applicant body should be exempted from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance, and be:
(1) Incorporated / will be incorporated under the Companies Ordinance (the successful applicant body would be required to ensure that its articles of association contain all the standard clauses and articles required for allocation of a school premises); or (2) incorporated under other ordinances, with its constitution satisfying the Permanent
Secretary for Education as being fit to be considered for allocation of a school premises.
The application form, information on the operation plan, points to note for the First Kindergarten Premises Allocation Exercise 2022 and other reference materials can be downloaded from the EDB homepage at www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/preprimary- kindergarten/allocation-of-kg/latest-news.html.
The duly completed application form, information on the operation plan, list of operating schools run by the applicant body (if any) and supporting documents should reach the Kindergarten Education Division of the EDB (Room 1432, 14/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong) by 5pm on March 3. Late applications will not be accepted.
End/ Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Annex First Kindergarten Premises Allocation Exercise 2022 – Information on Premises
Kindergarten Premises under Hong Kong Housing Authority Item No. District Location No. of
Classrooms (CR) /
Approximate Internal Floor Area
Availability
KG1 Tuen
Mun
Ground Floor, Wo Lai House, Wo Tin Estate
CR: 6 691 m2
March 2022 (tentative)
KG2 Tuen
Mun
Ground Floor, Ching Hay House, Ching Tin Estate
CR: 7 745 m2
March 2022 (tentative)
KG3 North Ground Floor, Wong Ching House, Queens Hill Estate
CR: 7 694 m2
April 2022 (tentative)
KG4 Tung
Chung
Ground Floor, Nga Shing House, Yu Nga Court
CR: 6 840 m2
July 2022 (tentative)
KG5 (Note 1)
Tai Po Ground Floor, Yat Yan House, Yat Nga Court
CR: 8 604 m2
August 2022 (tentative)
Note 1:
This is an existing kindergarten premises with a kindergarten in operation. The Housing Department may arrange site visit for the school sponsoring bodies/ operators having interest in applying for this kindergarten premises. Interested parties may contact Ms Chu of the Housing Department at 2638 2449 for the arrangement of site visit to the premises.
Annex
Kindergarten Premises Co-located with a Primary School Premises Item
No.
District Location No. of Classrooms / Approximate Internal Floor Area
Availability
KG6 (Note 2)
Sai Kung Site E-1, Anderson Road Quarry Site
CR: 6 880m2
(with an additional outdoor play area of 85 m2)
May 2025 (tentative)
Note 2:
a. The kindergarten will be co-located with a primary school in the premises. The kindergarten is located on the ground floor while the primary school is on other floors. Both the kindergarten and primary school have their own entrances/ exits, and are required to manage premises of their own.
b. The applicant body allocated with this premises has to enter into a tenancy agreement with the EDB. The EDB will charge a nominal rent (if necessary).
c. Applicant bodies have to provide supplementary information in the Information on Operation Plan to elaborate how to make good use of the premises co-located with a primary school.
d. To meet the demand for kindergarten places in the district and give full play to the features of co-located premises, priority will be accorded to kindergartens with plans to offer both half-day and whole-day programmes.
e. For enquiries on arrangements of this premises, please contact the EDB on 2892 5987.
