The Education Bureau issued letters or circular memoranda today to inform schools of the details about the provision of relief grants and subsidies related to the areas of education under the fifth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund. The total expenditure is about $338.4 million.

To alleviate the financial hardship arising from restrictions on face-to-face classes and on-campus school activities, especially the suspension of face-to-face classes of primary schools and kindergartens from mid-January 2022, the fund will provide all kindergartens, private primary and secondary day schools as well as private schools offering non-formal curriculum with a one-off grant.

The grant, ranging from $30,000 to $80,000, will be provided to each kindergarten and private day school. The expenditure is estimated to be $67.5 million, benefitting about 1,000 kindergartens and 185 private day schools.

Regarding private schools, a one-off relief grant of $20,000 will be given to each school registered under the Education Ordinance and in operation on the issuance date of the circular memorandum. The expenditure is estimated to be $54 million, benefitting some 2,700 schools.

Meanwhile, one-off relief grants under the fund will be provided to catering outlet operators and lunchbox suppliers at primary and secondary day schools; school bus drivers, school private light bus drivers and escorts; and instructors, coaches, trainers and operators of interest classes engaged by schools. The expenditure is estimated to be $216.9 million.

Click here for the letters or circular memoranda.