The Government strives to enhance the efficacy of district governance and actively follows up on various district initiatives. One of them is the School-based After School Care Service Scheme that targets to enhance support for parents. 
 
     Funded by the Community Care Fund, this well-received scheme has been expanded in the 2024-25 school year to cover over 110 primary schools in 18 districts, benefitting over 5 000 students.
 
     News.gov.hk visited one of the participating primary schools to learn more about the after-school activity arrangements and spoke to one of the service operators as well as parents and students about the benefits of joining the scheme.
 
     The story is available at www.news.gov.hk/eng/feature today (December 1) in text and video format.

     The Education Bureau (EDB) reminded 2025 DSE candidates who wish to pursue further studies on the Mainland that the online application for the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions (Admission Scheme) is open for application today (December 1).
           
     According to the Admission Scheme arrangements for the 2025/26 academic year announced by the Ministry of Education (MoE), a total of 145 Mainland higher education institutions (listed in the Annex) will consider admission applications of Hong Kong students taking part in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination 2025 based on their HKDSE results, thus exempting them from taking the Joint Entrance Examination for Universities on the Mainland. The MoE has commissioned the Co-Office of the Mainland Chinese Universities and Colleges of the People's Republic of China for the Joint Examinations and Enrolment of the Students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese-Resident Areas and Countries (the Joint Enrolment Office) to accept online applications and conduct admission screenings, and has entrusted the China Education Exchange (HK) Centre (HKCEEC) on matters such as eligibility vetting and publicity.
           
     The application and related procedures for the Admission Scheme are conducted online. Applicants should access the website of the Education Examinations Authority of Guangdong Province (eea.gd.gov.cn) from December 1 to 31 this year and click on "Admission of Hong Kong Students Taking the HKDSE Examination" under the menu of "Application and Examination" to submit their applications and upload the following:

     1. a scanned copy of one's Hong Kong identity card;
     2. a scanned copy of a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents or a Residence Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents; and
     3. a digital passport photo.

     Applicants can log on to the online application system to confirm application verification results before January 10, 2025. As for cases in which applicants provided supplementary information as requested by the system, they can log on and check the latest verification results before January 23, 2025. Applicants passing the application verification should settle fees and complete the application confirmation process according to the instructions provided in the online application system before January 31, 2025. Applicants will be assigned a candidate number for identification purposes and can log on to the online application system to check the candidate number before February 14, 2025.

     Applicants must complete the application confirmation process before proceeding to the admission stage. In addition, applicants may upload their Student Learning Profiles via the online application system before June 14, 2025. Schools may upload relevant information for the School Principal Nomination Scheme via the same system from February 15 to June 14, 2025.
           
     Institutions may arrange interviews/practical exams based on the application information submitted by applicants. Applicants should look out for the institutions' arrangements and announcements. Institutions will announce the admission results after the release of the HKDSE Examination results, and arrange an online supplementary enrolment (i.e. offer of surplus admission quotas) based on the enrolment situation. Details of the admission arrangements and enrolment notice will be announced in due course.

     A handbook (Chinese version only) jointly published by the EDB, HKCEEC and Hok Yau Club provides comprehensive information on the Admission Scheme and pursuing studies on the Mainland, including information on all institutions participating in the Admission Scheme, programmes offered, strategy on programme choices, and accounts of experiences by graduates of the Mainland universities. The handbook is now being distributed free of charge at the Mainland Higher Education Expo 2025/26 held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre while stocks last. The e-version of the handbook as well as other details of the Admission Scheme have also been uploaded onto the EDB's website (www.edb.gov.hk/admissionscheme).

     Furthermore, eligible Hong Kong students enrolled in undergraduate programmes of designated Mainland institutions can apply for means-tested subsidies or non-means-tested subsidies under the Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS). Application details for the MUSSS for the 2025/26 academic year will be announced in mid-2025.

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (December 3) to consider two applications for transfer and renewal of liquor licences.
      
     The applications are (not in order of discussion):
 
Kowloon:
—————
LOS ANGEL in Tsim Sha Tsui

New Territories:
—————
Twelve Flavors (ST) in Sha Tin

     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

     The Transport Department today (December 1) reminded members of the public that the 41st round of computer ballot registration for submitting applications for Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles (the scheme) will be open from 10am tomorrow (December 2) to 11.59pm on December 5, and the ballot result will be announced on December 6.
      
     Eligible applicants for the scheme can register for computer balloting through the designated website (www.hzmbqfs.gov.hk). Successful balloting applicants are required to submit applications for the scheme within the designated date and time randomly allocated by the computer system.
 

     Starting from today (December 1), the Social Welfare Department (SWD) has further expanded the day respite service network for elderly persons to relieve the pressure on their carers.
 
     With immediate effect, more than 110 recognised service providers under the Community Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly will also provide day respite services for needy elderly persons. 
 
       The number of service points for day respite services for the elderly will hence significantly increase from about 190 to more than 300 across the territory to provide comprehensive care and support for elderly persons, their family members and/or carers. Members of the public can obtain information on day respite services for elderly persons in different districts via the Vacancy Enquiry System for Respite Services/Emergency Placement (www.ves.swd.gov.hk).
 
     The SWD encourages needy elderly persons and their carers to:

1. call the Designated Hotline for Carer Support 182 183, where social workers will assist in arranging and matching respite services;
2. apply directly through units providing day respite services for the elderly; or
3. request referrals from Integrated Family Service Centres/Integrated Services Centres, Medical Social Services Units, or elderly service units (e.g. District Elderly Community Centres and Neighbourhood Elderly Centres).

 
     Details are available on the SWD website: www.swd.gov.hk/en/pubsvc/elderly/cat_careersupp/drrr/dayrespite/.