International schools invited to view possible new sites

On March 15, the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government invited expressions of interest for allocation of greenfield sites and vacant or to-be-vacated school premises for international school expansion and development. 

In his 2007-08 Policy Address, Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced the administration will make available a number of greenfield sites to expand the international school sector. The bureau has identified a number of sites for that purpose. Taking into account the interest among some existing international schools for quick expansion, the bureau has also identified a number of vacant or to-be-vacated school premises for allocation. The expression of interest exercise is open to all existing international schools in Hong Kong and other interested parties.

A spokesman for the bureau said four sites in Kowloon and the New Territories have been earmarked for the purpose. “Subject to responses received in the expressions of interest exercise, we will proceed to the next stage and invite detailed proposals,” he said.

One of the four sites could accommodate the development of hostel facilities. Subject to the responses received, the feasibility of the government supporting the development of hostel facilities on a trial basis will be explored, with a view to attracting overseas students and fortifying Hong Kong’s status as a regional education hub.

The Education Bureau also has identified five vacant/to-be-vacated school premises that may be considered for international school use. These are situated on Hong Kong Island and in the New Territories.

“The exercise is the first step for us to gauge market response. Taking into account the responses received, we will finalize the list of sites and premises to be made available, work out detailed allocation criteria and invite eligible interested parties who have responded to the expressions of interest to submit detailed school proposals for the coming School Allocation Exercises. Details will be announced in due course," said the spokesman.

The international schools operating from the greenfield sites and the vacant premises covered in this exercise should be non-profit ventures and run on a self-financing basis. In accordance with existing policy on assistance for international schools, interest-free capital loans for school building on the greenfield sites will be considered upon application. Successful bidders of the vacant/to-be-vacated premises will enjoy nominal rent treatment.

Details of the expressions of interest can be found on the Web site [http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?langno=1&nodeID=6491].