I sat in the dim light of the lamp, clutching the press notice in my hand, feeling as if a boulder had been pressed on me, so heavy that I couldn't breathe. 2,500 yuan of student allowance, which is not much, but also a lot, especially for a family like ours, was a pillar of support in our monthly life, and now it had been ruthlessly withdrawn. I cannot help feeling angry, but I also cannot help feeling powerless. The government's decisions never seem to take into account the struggles of low-income families like us, as if our voices don't matter at all.
In my mind, I wondered how different our lives would be with this $2,500 shortfall. In the past, we were able to make up three meals for dinner, but now I am afraid we can only cut it down to two. When I think of my children growing up with less nutrition and less food, I feel an indescribable sense of helplessness and anxiety. This feeling is like standing on a road with no way to turn back, knowing that the road ahead is full of thorns, but I can only go on.
My home is a small space in a village house in Tin Shui Wai, crowded with six of us. One of our four children has autism and hyperactivity disorder, and his world is always more complicated and chaotic than others. As I watched him try to adapt to a world that was too noisy for him, my heart felt like it was being clutched by an invisible hand. Every improvement he made was so difficult, and the support we could give him was always limited. Every time I took him to the therapy, I would pray silently on the way, hoping that he could live a more relaxed life and that the world could be more gentle to him.
My wife, Mei-Ling, is one of the pillars of this family, and I am a broadband cable puller. Although my work is hard, my time is flexible, which allows me to spend more time with my children. Every day after a day's work, dragging the tired body back home, the children's smiles are always the first time into my eyes. Those are my most precious moments, and they are also the driving force that keeps me going. Even if life presses me, even if the future seems distant and vague, as long as I see them smiling so brightly, I feel that all the hard work is worth it.
The Hong Kong Government's estimated total expenditure on education for the financial year 2025/26 is $75.834 billion, a decrease of 4.1% compared with the previous year, which has aroused widespread concern in the community about the allocation of education resources. As the cornerstone of the future, the allocation of resources for education not only affects the present moment, but also determines the long-term development of the society.
🔷 Special Education: the budget edged up 0.3% in response to an increase in student enrollment, but the increase was limited.
🔷 Pre-primary education: the 7% decrease in the budget was affected by the decline in kindergarten enrollment.
🔷 Post-secondary and vocational education: the budget has increased by 4.3%, reflecting the importance attached to tertiary education, but the overall resources still need to be balanced.
🔷 Policies and support: 39.1% reduction in funding and elimination of the $2,500 student subsidy, particularly affecting grassroots families.
The quality of education should not be sacrificed for the sake of spending cuts, and resources must be allocated strategically and appropriately. Education is the most important investment in our society. Short-term cuts may bring long-term damage, affecting children's future and social competitiveness. "We cannot afford to be poor in education, nor can we afford to be poor in our children." Even in times of economic difficulties, the protection of education resources should be a priority. The Government needs to strike a careful balance between financial and educational development to ensure that every child can grow up in a fair environment, and to lay a solid foundation for the future of Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Government is scaling back education expenditure in the 2025/26 financial year, with the total budget reduced from $79.08 billion to $75.834 billion, or by 4.1%.
The government's decision to abolish the HK$2,500 student allowance has sparked widespread controversy. Many parents considered the move to be contrary to the policy of encouraging childbirth and were worried that it would increase the financial burden on families. At the forum, some secondary school students pointed out that the abolition of the subsidy was tantamount to raising the cost of childbearing and asked what measures the Government would take to encourage childbirth. Others were concerned about the high cost of tutorials and queried whether the Government could provide other forms of assistance to students after the abolition of the subsidy.
According to statistics, about 60% of Hong Kong students participate in tutorial classes, and this percentage is even higher among secondary school students, especially senior secondary school students who are facing public examinations. The tutorial fees vary according to the qualifications of the tutors, the grade and subject of the students. Generally speaking, tutorials range from about HK$140 to HK$500 per hour for elementary school, and from about HK$160 to HK$550 per hour for secondary schools.
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To support grassroots students in coping with the high cost of tutorials, schools may consider the following measures:
🔷 Setting up free in-school tutorials: Schools can make use of existing staff and resources to provide free after-school tutorials for grassroots students. This not only reduces the financial burden on students, but also ensures that they receive high quality learning support.
🔷 Collaboration with non-profit organizations: Schools can collaborate with non-profit organizations that provide free tutoring services, such as Principal Chan's Free Tutoring Corner, to provide students with more learning resources and opportunities.
🔷 Promote volunteer tutoring programs: Schools can recruit university students or community volunteers to provide volunteer tutoring services to grassroots students. This not only helps students to improve their academic performance, but also promotes the spirit of mutual help in the community.
🔷 Provide online tutoring resources: Schools can take advantage of modern technology to provide free online tutoring courses and resources so that students can study at home, reducing transportation and time costs.
These measures can help grassroots students receive more learning support, alleviate the financial pressure on their families and enhance their academic performance.
Founded in 2011 by Principal CHAN Ying Ming, this is a non-profit charitable organization registered in Hong Kong, specializing in providing free tutorials to grassroots children and youths from underprivileged families. They provide one-to-one tutoring services for students by convening volunteer tutors, and organize various student activities to provide more comprehensive learning support.
The scope of services includes.
One-on-one tutoring, pre-school classes, small group academic classes, talent programs (instrumental classes, photography classes, art classes, etc.), extracurricular activities (field trips, parent-child workshops, English summer camps, etc.)
Eligibility.
Students on CSSA or receiving full-rate (full grant) textbook assistance for Primary 1 to Secondary 6 students
Focus:
For the protection of both students and teachers, tutoring cannot take place in the student's or volunteer's home. Tutoring should take place in a safe, public place where a third party is present, usually in a fast food restaurant, coffee shop, or cafeteria near the student's home. We also allow online tutoring if students and teachers need it and are willing to do so. Please indicate the tutoring area in the e-enrollment form.
HomeworkGuide allows users to upload questions in the form of text, dictation, or pictures, and the AI will patiently answer homework questions for all subjects, suitable for students of all levels.
EDU A.I. Free Homework AI Program Provides free AI quizzing service for all primary and secondary subjects, helping students to solve homework problems and teaching related concepts and problem solving skills.
If you would like to know more about the above community information, please feel free to contact the above organizations. If you want to know the latest social welfare information in Hong Kong, please remember to follow us closely or if you have any questions or need any assistance, please feel free to leave a message to us, we will try our best to answer your questions and provide you with appropriate assistance.
Source:
Principal Chan's Free Tutoring Corner
Image Source:
Freepik
