[Archive] Delay in the construction work of government primary schools

LEGCO QUESTION NO.10

Date of sitting: 8 May 2002

Asked by: Hon CHEUNG Man-kwong

Replied by: SEM

Question:

Regarding slippage in the construction works of new school premises of government and aided secondary and primary schools, will the Government inform this Council:

of the schools whose new premises were completed in accordance with the planning schedule and put to use in September of that year when the new school year began, and those whose new premises failed to meet the schedule, in each of the past five years, with a breakdown by school districts and the profile of slippage for less than three, six, nine and 12 months or more than one year respectively;
of the schools whose new premises will be completed this year in accordance with the planning schedule and put to use in September of this year when the new school year begins, with a breakdown by school districts; and the schools the construction works of whose new premises are expected to be delayed, as well as the length of slippage;
of all the causes of the slippage in the construction works;
as delays in construction works of new school premises have often occurred over the years and caused confusion in school operations, such as upsetting the plans for their conversion into whole-day schooling, causing new schools to defer their first school day or to have to use the premises of other schools temporarily, whether the Education Department has provided any support to the affected schools; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
of the long term measures to solve the problems of frequent slippage in the construction works on new school premises?

Reply:

Madam President:

To ensure that new school premises are completed on schedule, relevant government departments have all along been closely monitoring the progress of school building programmes. We have set up a School Building Programme Review Committee, an inter-departmental committee comprising representatives from the Education Department (ED), the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) and the Housing Department (HD), to monitor the progress of all school projects. All possible remedial actions will be taken once slippage is identified so that improvement could be made soonest possible. Details of new school premises completed and put to use in the past five years are at Annex I.

As shown in Annex I, the majority of school projects were completed on schedule. There may be occasional slippage due to the following reasons -

(1) unsatisfactory performance of contractors (such as poor management, labour dispute and financial problems);

(2) some schools located in public housing estates could not be completed on schedule due to slippage in the housing estate projects;

(3) unforeseen technical problems (such as geotechnical and piling problems); and

(4) disruption caused by bad weather.
According to our original school building programme, 23 new schools will be completed in the 2002/03 school year. Details are at Annex II.

Similar to past years, we have been monitoring closely the progress of school projects. Our assessment up to late April was that there might be a slippage in six school projects this year. It is mainly due to the persistently unsatisfactory performance of a contractor who happens to be in charge of five of these school projects. ArchSD immediately took remedial measures at the end of last year when it noticed that the progress was slow. Measures taken include interviews, written warnings, and deployment of in-house architects to station on the sites for inspection and supervision. The contractor has also been suspended from tendering for other public works projects pending improvement in its performance. We hope that the above measures could urge the contractor to expedite progress so that the schools could be completed on schedule. If the projects fail to complete on time, we will seek compensation from the contractor in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contracts. The remaining project is located in a public housing estate and is delayed due to rainy weather and unforeseen technical difficulties in piling. HD has taken follow-up actions and will closely monitor the progress.
Although there is occasional delay in school projects and the delay is only a matter of a month or so, we consider that this situation is not satisfactory. Our target is to ensure that all school projects could be completed before the commencement of a new school year. To achieve this target, we have taken the following actions -

(1) enhancing communication among relevant departments and advancing procedures related to site identification, feasibility studies, planning and funding approval etc., so as to allow a buffer between project completion and school commencement;

(2) streamlining procedures for capital works programmes. The streamlined procedures have applied since November 2001. For example, after the streamlining, the time required for feasibility studies has been reduced by about two to three months; and

(3) strengthening supervision of contractors' performance. To have a deterrent effect, contractors whose performance is poor will be suspended from tendering for public works projects for a period of time and required to compensate under the contracts.

While we will monitor and expedite the school projects through measures mentioned above, we will also keep schools well informed of the latest progress so that they could plan accordingly. If the school premises could not be completed on schedule due to project delay, ED will take the initiative to discuss with schools concerned for contingency measures, such as identifying suitable temporary school premises, borrowing the premises of other schools, adjusting the plans for conversion into whole-day schooling, etc., so as to minimise the impact on teachers and students.

Annex I

New Schools completed during the period 1997 to 2002

New schools completed in 1997

School District	Name of school	Completed in accordance with the planning schedule and put to use in September of that year	Delay
School District	Name of school		Within 3 months	Within 6 months	Within 9 months	Within 12 months	More than one year
Eastern Kln City Kln City Sai Kung Sai Kung Sai Kung Islands Islands Islands Islands North Tuen Mun Tsuen Wan Tsuen Wan	Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College Alliance Primary School, Whampoa GCEPSA Whampoa Primary School Wellington Education Organisation Chang Pui Chung Memorial School STFA Cheng Yu Tung Secondary School NTW&JWA Leung Sing Tak Primary School (Tseung Kwan O) Ching Chung Hau Po Woon Primary School Po On Commercial Association Wan Ho Kan Primary School Ho Yu College (spomsored by Sik Sik Yuen) PLK Mrs Ma Kam Ming Cheung Fook Sien College YCH No. 5 Secondary School (Skills Opportunity) SMKMCF Ma Ko Pan Memorial College Shek Chung Shan Memorial Catholic Primary School Hong Kong Baptist Convention Primary School	X X X X X X X X X X X X X	X
Total :		13	1	0	0	0	0

New schools completed in 1998

School District	Name of school	Completed in accordance with the planning schedule and put to use in September of that year	Delay
School District	Name of school		Within 3 months	Within 6 months	Within 9 months	Within 12 months	More than one year
Eastern Sai Kung Sai Kung Sai Kung Sai Kung Sai Kung Sai Kung Sai Kung Kwun Tong North Tai Po Tai Po Shatin Yuen Long Yuen Long Tuen Mun Kwai Tsing	Fukien Secondary School (Siu Sai Wan) Christian & Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Primary School Pok Oi Hospital Chan Kwok Wai Primary School LCHKS Ma Kam Ming Charitable Foundation Ma Chan Duen Hey Memorial College HKTA The Yuen Yuen Institute No. 3 Secondary School Chi Lin Buddhist Primary School Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Primary School Tseung Kwan O Pui Chi School HKTA Chan Lui Chung Tak Memorial School Christian Alliance S. W. Chan Memorial College Carmel Holy Word Secondary School China Holiness Church Living Spirit College Caritas Ma On Shan Secondary School Buddhist Mau Fung Memorial College PLK Law's Foundation School TWGHs Mr & Mrs Kwong Sik Kwan Skills Opportunity School Po Leung Kuk Tsing Yi Secondary School (Skill Opportunity)	X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Total :		17	0	0	0	0	0

New schools completed in 1999

School District	Name of school	Completed in accordance with the planning schedule and put to use in September of that year	Delay
School District	Name of school		Within 3 months	Within 6 months	Within 9 months	Within 12 months	More than one year
Southern Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Islands Islands Kwun Tong Kwun Tong Yau Tsim Mong Shum Shui Po Sai Kung Sai Kung Sai Kung Sai Kung Sai Kung North North Tai Po Tai Po Sha Tin Yuen Long Yuen Long Yuen Long Yuen Long Yuen Long Yuen Long Tuen Mun Tuen Mun Tsuen Wan	SKH Tin Wan Chi Nam Primary School Munsang College (HK Island) CNEC Lau Wing Sang Secondary School Lingnan Secondary School HKCWC Hioe Tjo Yoeng Primary School Ling Liang Church Sau Tak Primary School Ling Liang Che Wun Secondary School St. Antonius Primary School Po Chiu Catholic Secondary School Po Leung Kuk Camoes Tan Siu Lin Primary School Ka Ling School of the Precious Blood Tseung Kwan O Catholic Primary School Po Leung Kuk Wong Wing Shu Primary School Pok Oi Hospital 8th Anniverary Tang Ying Hei College Christian & Missionary Alliance Sun Kei Secondary School Yan Chai Hospitals Wong Wha San Kei Secondary School Fanling Rhenish Church Secondary School Pentecostal Yu Leung Fat Primary School Ling Liang Church M H Lau Secondary School Tai Po Government Primary School St. Rose of Lima's School The Jockey Club Eduyoung College Yuen Long Public Middle School Alumni Association Tang Siu Tong Secondary School Lions Club Ho Tak Sum Primary School Queen Elizabeth School Old Students Association Branch Primary School Tin Shui Wai Methodist Primary School TWGHs Leo Tung-Hai Lee Primary School Ching Chung Hau Po Woon Secondary School NLSI Peace Evangelical Secondary School Hoi Pa Street Government Primary School	X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X	X
Total :		29	1	0	0	0	0

New schools completed in 2000

School District	Name of school	Completed in accordance with the planning schedule and put to use in September of that year	Delay
School District	Name of school		Within 3 months	Within 6 months	Within 9 months	Within 12 months	More than one year
Southern Southern Southern Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Yau Tsim Mong Yau Tsim Mong Yau Tsim Mong Yau Tsim Mong Wong Tai Sin Kwun Tong Kwun Tong North North Sha Tin Sha Tin Sha Tin Sha Tin Sha Tin Yuen Long Yuen Long Yuen Long Yuen Long Yuen Long Yuen Long Yuen Long Kwai Tsing Kwai Tsing	HKCCGA Cheng Jack Yiu School * Precious Blood Primary School (South Horizons) Hong Kong Southern District Government Primary School St. Mark's School The Chinese Foundation Secondary School Pui Kiu Primary School Aldrich Bay Government Primary School HKMA David Li Kwok Po College Yaumatei Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road) Sir Ellis Kadoorie Secondary School (West Kowloon) Tai Kok Tsui Catholic Primary School (Hoi Fan Road) Tsz Wan Shan St. Bonaventure Catholic Primary School Fukien Middle School Lok Wah Catholic Primary School Fanling Kau Yan College SKH Ka Fuk Wing Chun Primary School CUHK PAA Chan Chun Ha Secondary School Tak Sun Secondary School SKH Ma On Shan Holy Spirit Primary School Ma On Shan Methodist Primary School PLK Riverain Primary School Chinese YMCA Secondary School Tin Shui Wai Methodist College Cumberland Presby Church Yao Dao Primary School XPY Primary School of Science and Creativity Chinese YMCA Primary School Christian Alliance SY Yeh Memorial Pimary School HKFYG Lee Shau Kee Primary School The Church of Christ in China Yenching College SKH Tsing Yi Estate Ho Chak Wan Primary School	X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X	X X X X X	X
Total :		24	5	1	0	0	0

* This school was planned to be built together with the adjacent public housing estate and to provide school places for the designed population of the estate. Due to slippage of the estate project, the completion date of the school was deferred accordingly.

New schools completed in 2001

School District	Name of school	Completed in accordance with the planning schedule and put to use in September of that year	Delay
School District	Name of school		Within 3 months	Within 6 months	Within 9 months	Within 12 months	More than one year
Eastern Kwun Tong Kwun Tong Kwun Tong Kwun Tong Kwun Tong Kln City Kln City Kln City Kln City Islands Islands North Yuen Long Yuen Long Yuen Long Yuen Long Tuen Mun Tuen Mun Kwai Tsing	HKU Graduates Association Primary School Pegasus Philip Wong Kin Hang Christian Primary School The Mission Cov. Church Holm Glad Primary School St. Matthew's Lutheran School (Sau Mau Ping) * Sau Ming Primary School Sau Mau Ping Catholic Primary School Holy Family Canossian School Kowloon Tong Government Primary School SKH Fung Kei Millennium Primary School Ma Tau Chung Government Primary School (Hung Hom Bay) HKFEW Wong Cho Bau School The Salvation Army Lam Butt Chung Memorial School Fanling Assembly of God Primary School STFA Wu Mien Tuen Primary School WF Joseph Lee Primary School Tin Shui Wai Heung To Middle School Not yet fixed (School sponsor is Shap Pat Heung Rural Committee School Ltd.) * Po Leung Kuk East Horizon Primary School Hong Chi Morninghope School, Tuen Mun SKH Chu Oi Primary School *	X X X X X X X X X X X X X	X X X X	X	X	X
Total :		29	1	0	0	0	0

Annex II

New Schools to be completed in 2002

(1) New schools to be completed as scheduled and put to use in September

School district	Name of school (name of school sponsor)
Wong Tai Sin	PLK Grandmount Primary School
Wong Tai Sin	St. Patrick's Catholic Primary School
Wong Tai Sin	Wong Tai Sin Catholic Primary School
Wong Tai Sin	Po Leung Kuk Celine Ho Yam Tong College
Kwun Tong	Bishop Paschang Memorial School
Kwun Tong	Yan Chai Hospital Law Chan Chor Si College
Kwun Tong	Not yet fixed (Hong Kong Buddhist Association)
Kowloon City	La Salle Primary School
Tai Po	Not yet fixed (Po Leung Kuk)
Tai Po	Not yet fixed (Hong Kong & Kowloon Kaifong Women's Association)
Kwai Tsing	Not yet fixed (Church Body of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui)
Kwai Tsing	Not yet fixed (Po Leung Kuk)
Yuen Long	Not yet fixed (Hong Kong Student Aid Society)
Yuen Long	Not yet fixed (Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Union)
Yuen Long	Not yet fixed (Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China)

(2) New schools to be completed as scheduled and put to use after September

School district	Name of school (name of school sponsor)
Sai Kung	GT School
Sai Kung	Logos Academy

The above schools are located in a public housing estate. To tie in with the housing development, it is our original plan to have the new schools put to use after September.

(3) New schools which may be delayed and not ready for use in September

School District	Name of school (name of school sponsor)	Period of delay
Shum Shui Po	Laichikok Catholic Primary School	May be delayed to September 2002
Shum Shui Po	Shum Shui Po Government Primary School	May be delayed to September 2002
Tai Po	Tai Po Old Market Public School	May be delayed to September 2002
Kwai Tsing	CCC Kei Chun Primary School	May be delayed to September 2002
Kwai Tsing	Not yet fixed (Church Body of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui)	May be delayed to September 2002
Eastern	Not yet fixed (Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China)	May be delayed to October 2002