Jockey Club boosts fund to provide extra-curricular activities for needy students

10/31/2012

In the past decade, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Life-wide Learning Fund has enabled more than 1.5 million primary and secondary school students to participate in a wide range of life-wide learning (LWL) activities outside the classroom, so as to widen their horizons and build their self-confidence and interpersonal skills.

The project’s success and popularity has now spurred the Club’s Charities Trust to donate a further HK$240 million to the Education Bureau to extend the Fund for three more years to 2015.  It is expected to benefit over 200,000 financially-needy primary and secondary students a year from some 950 participating schools.  Since its launch, the Club’s Charities Trust has donated a total of HK$640 million to the Fund.  Today (31 October), Club Steward Michael T H Lee and Permanent Secretary for Education Cherry Tse announced the extension at a launch ceremony.

Observing that young people were the future pillars of society, Mr Lee told the audience that the Club had put strong emphasis on youth development over the years and launched the Fund with the Education Bureau in 2002.  “The Club is delighted to learn that the Fund has supported over 1.5 million students in fostering their all-round development since its launch a decade ago; and it has received overwhelming responses from schools, students and parents,” he said.  “I hope participating schools and students will make good use of the Fund to help students develop their talents and potential.”

Mrs Tse thanked the Club for its endorsement of life-wide learning by donating a total of HK$640 million to support all three phases of the Fund.  “Learning does not confine to classrooms and schools. We hope students not only benefit from the Club’s financial support to broaden their horizons, but also learn how to be a better person and give back to society like the Jockey Club does,” she said.

A study conducted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Department of Applied Social Sciences shows that participation has been close to 90 per cent among all schools enrolled in the Fund, with over 85 per cent of principals and teachers, as well as 91 per cent of beneficiary students and parents, agreeing that the Fund has been a tremendous success. 

The study noted that individual school managements have full discretion on which LWL activities to subsidise, and whether to arrange full or partial fee waivers for needy students.  The four most popular types of LWL-subsidised activities are subject extension support, aesthetic development, sports and personal development. 

Teachers reported that the reduced financial burden for parents thanks to the Fund had changed their attitude towards LWL activities and they had started to value the life-wide development of their children. 

Secondary 5 student Leung Chun-kit of Sheng Kung Hui Li Ping School first participated in a Fund-subsidised outdoor survey activity in Secondary 1.  The experience of talking with strangers helped develop his self-confidence, subsequently encouraging him to engage in stage performances and participate in Fund-subsidised drama activities and public speaking training programmes.

“In the past, I spoke without pause and could not express myself clearly.  After the public speaking training, I have improved a lot.  I love performing and decided to study further in this area,” he said. “The Fund has helped my self-discovery and the development of my talents and interests.”

Secondary 5 student Daya Wang from Cotton Spinners Association School came to Hong Kong in Secondary 1 and joined the school’s marching band.  “I am grateful to the Fund for subsiding my marching band training, and it is indeed a valuable resource for needy students.  I will teach newcomers in the band the musical knowledge and skills I acquired so as to express my gratitude to my school and the Fund,” she said.

The HKJC LWL Fund was set up in 2002 with Trust funding of HK$141 million for five years, covering Primary 4 to Secondary 3 students.  Following its success, the Trust made a further donation of $260 million in 2007 to extend the Scheme until 2012, with wider coverage to benefit needy students at all levels of primary and secondary schools.  Administered by the Education Bureau, the Fund has provided assistance to 1.5 million students over the years.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.