Hong Kong’s John Lee pledges to expand after-school care for low-income families
City leader says decision prompted by positive feedback from families who vouch that scheme gives them peace of mind to pursue careers
Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has promised to allow more children from low-income families to enjoy after-school care on campus by further expanding a government scheme following positive feedback from participants.
Social workers and educators welcomed the initiative on Saturday, proposing the government widen the scheme’s coverage to include more pupils and encourage more schools to join through subsidies.
The scheme, launched as part of the government’s targeted measures to tackle poverty, has helped promote family harmony, with children also reporting improvements in both academic performance and social life, according to Lee, who recently visited a school before the Easter break.
“In supporting the grass roots, my administration has consistently launched various targeted poverty alleviation projects … to channel resources to those most in need,” Lee said in a Facebook post on Saturday.
“The School-based After-School Care Service Scheme is one such example … I will work with my governance team to explore further expanding the programme to fully utilise resources and benefit more families.”
He did not give further details or a time frame.