Initiation Programme

The Initiation Programme is an integrated programme provided as an alternative mode of support services for the children just arriving Hong Kong. The programme was tried out on a pilot basis in March 2000 and has been operated since September 2000. The services have been extended to include newly-arrived children from the Mainland, newly-arrived non-Chinese speaking children and returnee children since January 2002.

Newly-arrived children can choose to attend the full-time 6-month Initiation Programme prior to joining mainstream schools. The Programme aims to enhance the learning experience of the newly-arrived children in a real classroom environment, help them adjust to the local society and education system, and foster their personal development. The Education Bureau will provide children completing the Initiation Programme with placement assistance to mainstream schools.

Objectives

• To enhance the standard in the English and Chinese languages of the participating newly-arrived children.
• To help the newly-arrived children to integrate into the local society and education system, and foster their personal development.
• To strengthen their learning experience / exposure to real classroom situation.

Programme Arrangement

• Before enrolling in a mainstream school, the newly-arrived children can choose to attend the Initiation Programme first.
• It is a full-time 6-month programme.
• The programme is operated in a school setting, and the size of each class is around 20.
• A block grant, calculated on the basis of a class of 20 newly-arrived children, will be given to school for operation of the programme. The school can flexibly use the block grant to design the curriculum and support programmes to meet the needs of the participating children.

Programme Contents

• The programme includes both academic and non-academic elements, which are equally important in helping the children integrate into the local society and education system.
• To meet the different needs of the participating children, the teachers should make flexible combinations of the following components:

Leaflet on Initiation Programme

Versions: English, Chinese, Nepali, Hindi, Thai, Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, Urdu, Punjabi 

Enquiries:
Enquiries can be made by telephone (2892 6190) during office hours.