200,000 STUDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM HK GOVERNMENT ICT PROJECT

Students will only be charged with HK$10.70 (US$1.37) monthly to use a new computer with broadband access, the Internet Professional Association (iProA) said. 

About 200,000 students from low- income families in Hong Kong are set to benefit from a government-funded internet subsidy scheme launched Thursday.
The scheme, called “Net-Com rock n’ roll”, is funded by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the “i Learn at home” programme, offers students a branded notebook computer and 6Mbps broadband service on a three-year contract.


This usually costs HK$1,400 (US$180) a year, but eligible families will pay HK$128 (US$16) with a government subsidy of HK$1,300 (US$167).
The online learning support programme is being run by eInclusion Foundation, a nonprofit-making organization with core partners of iProA and the Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong.
Applications are being accepted from families in eight districts in New Territories East, Kowloon East and Hong Kong Island East.
Primary and secondary school students on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance and those who pass the existing means test for financial assistance under the Student Financial Assistance Agency are eligible.
Winnie Tang Shuk-ming, chairwoman of the foundation and president of iProA, said the scheme aims to narrow the digital divide in online learning for the needy.
Parents and students will also receive a range of support services including customized training and hardware repair, said foundation chief executive Gary Cheng Chun-wah.
To Kwa Wan, Parents Concern Group representative said the programme will bring convenience with his son. With a new computer at home, her nine-year-old son will not have to stay in school until late afternoon to finish his homework.
GCIO Stephen Mak said the “Net-Com rock n’ roll” facilitates access to IT and the Internet, and the associated educational opportunity.
“Web-based learning has become an integral part of education and a way of life for students. The government recognises the importance of providing suitable Internet learning opportunities for students in need in order to mitigate the impact of the digital divide on the quality of learning,” he said.
The Office of the GCIO will monitor the implementation arrangements of “Net-Com rock n’ roll” through a programme steering committee led by the GCIO.

- Future Gov Asia Pacific Magazines, by Pia Rufino -
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