Expressions of interest invited for vacant school premises for international school development
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The Education Bureau (EDB) today (June 25) invited expressions of interest (EoI) for the allocation of vacant school premises for international school development.

To address the increasing demand for international school places and meet the more immediate development needs of international schools, the EDB has identified four vacant school premises for allocation. The EoI exercise is open to all existing non-profit-making international school operators in Hong Kong and other interested parties which meet the prescribed requirements.

A spokesman for the bureau said, "The Government is committed to developing a vibrant international school sector to meet the demand for school places from local and overseas families living in Hong Kong and families coming to Hong Kong for work or investment. One vacant school premises in Southern District, one in Eastern District and two in Kwun Tong have been earmarked for the purpose." Details of the premises are at Annex.

"The EoI is the first step for us to ascertain the development needs of the international school sector and their interests in the premises. Subject to the responses received in the EoI, we will finalise the list of vacant school premises to be made available and proceed with a School Allocation Exercise later in the year. Interested operators that have responded to the EoI will be invited to submit detailed proposals for consideration under an open and competitive bidding process," the spokesman said.

The international schools operating at the vacant school premises covered in this exercise and their school sponsoring bodies must be exempt from tax under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112). In selecting the most appropriate school operators, factors including good organisation structure, proper management, sound financial footing, good track record and proven experience and expertise will be considered. Bidders are required to assess the potential demand for the curriculum they propose to offer and how the curriculum would meet the needs of their target students.

These international schools should be run on a self-financing basis. Bidders are expected to fund any renovation works required. Successful bidders for the vacant premises will normally enjoy nominal rent treatment.

Interested parties are required to respond to the EoI by August 27. They are reminded to read carefully the basic requirements set out in the note to respondents before submitting the reply form to the EDB's Infrastructure and Research Support Division by post (6/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong) or by fax ((852) 2119 9107). The note to respondents and the reply form are available on the EDB homepage (www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=246&langno=1).

Ends/Monday, June 25, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:15

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