The following is issued on behalf of the QEFSC:
On the advice of the Quality Education Fund Steering Committee (QEFSC), a total of 587 projects, involving grants of $192 million, were approved today(Monday) by the Trustee of the QEF, the Director of Education Incorporated.
During the QEF's second call for applications between September 30 and November 30 last year, a total of 2,160 applications were received. The advice of external experts have been sought to assist in the assessment process where necessary.
The Chairman of the QEFSC, Mr Irving Koo Yee-yin said:"I and Members of the QEFSC and its Assessment Sub-committee are satisfied that each of the 587 successful projects has fulfilled the stated criteria for the allocation of grants under the broad objective of the QEF. The remaining projects are at an advanced stage of assessment, and we will announce the results of those projects later this month."
"I am pleased to note that all these projects will contribute greatly to developing students' potential and improving the effectiveness of school education and will meet the four key education objectives, i.e. Enjoyable Learning, Effectiveness in Communication, Commitment and Creativity," he said.
"The QEFSC and its Promotion and Monitoring Sub-committee and Secretariat have been working in collaboration with the grantees of the first call to ensure that the intended results of the funded projects are achieved, and the project outcomes are properly evaluated.
"External reviewers are also appointed to monitor the complex or large projects. The same arrangements will apply to the grantees of the second call.
"We will also continue to ensure that the experience and good practices of successful projects are disseminated as widely as possible within the education sector," he added.
Mr Koo said: "Applicants who fail to get funding this time will be advised of the reasons in writing so that they can revise their applications and resubmit them in the third call for applications which will be made in September to November this year."
During the first call for applications to the Fund in March to April last year, 2,367 applications requesting grants totalling $2,260 million were received. The Trustee of the QEF has approved grants totalling $370 million for 523 worthwhile projects.
End/Monday, May 10, 1999