The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) reminded members of the public that the Sale of Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) Flats 2019 (GSH 2019) will close on Thursday (January 9) at 7pm. Applications submitted after the application period will not be accepted.

     A spokesman for the HA said today (January 6), "Online applications are provided in addition to paper-based submissions for GSH 2019. Applicants may choose either to submit paper-based application forms by post or by hand, or to submit online applications. Each person can only be listed on one application form of this sale exercise (whether online or paper-based application), otherwise the applications will be regarded as duplicates. Any case of a duplicate application will render all applications null and void, and application fees paid are non-refundable and non-transferrable under any circumstances. Details are set out in the Application Guide.

     "There are three more days for submitting applications. It is expected that some applicants tend to submit their online applications shortly before the close of applications, particularly a few hours before the deadline. The online system is expected to be busy. In order to avoid experiencing difficulties in logging-in or a delay in processing the applications, applicants are therefore urged to submit their online applications as early as possible to ensure successful submissions before the deadline," the spokesman said.

     The spokesman reminded applicants that online amendments are not allowed after the online applications are confirmed and payments are completed. If applicants find that they have filled in their information incorrectly, they are required to inform the HA's GSH Sales Unit in writing to correct the information given before the close of applications on January 9 with the application number or identity card number specified.

     "For applicants living in the public rental housing estates of the HA or the rental estates of the Hong Kong Housing Society (HS) who submit applications online, their respective estate offices will contact them and verify their household information after receiving their online applications. The estate offices concerned will prepare hard copies of the application forms, and applicants and all family members aged 18 or above will have to sign on the application forms and return them to their respective estate offices for further processing," the spokesman said.

     "About 40,000 valid Green Form applicants under the Sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Flats 2019 who opted to join the next HA Subsidised Sale Flats sale exercise will be carried over to GSH 2019. These applicants do not need to submit separate applications nor pay the application fees. However, if there are changes in the family's composition, the respective applicants should inform us as soon as possible. If the changes affect their application category as well as their priority for flat selection, they are required to inform us in writing during the application period of GSH 2019. Moreover, if applicants have successfully purchased a flat under HOS 2019, their application for GSH 2019 will be cancelled immediately, and vice versa," the spokesman said.

     "The closing time for receiving applications, whether paper-based or online, is 7pm on January 9. For paper-based applications, applicants who are tenants of public rental housing estates of the HA or rental estates of the HS are required to return their applications to their respective estate offices. Other applicants may return their applications by mail or in person to the office of the GSH Sales Unit (Address: 1/F, Pioneer Place, 33 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong). The HOS Sales Unit at the HA Customer Service Centre at Lok Fu will not accept GSH applications," the spokesman said.

     The spokesman reminded members of the public to read the Application Guide before applying. Online applicants should refer to the video on the Guide to Online Application to understand the steps to apply online before filling in the form.

     For information on GSH 2019, please visit the GSH 2019 website (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/gsh/2019). Members of the public may visit the GSH Sales Unit from 8am to 7pm during the application period or call the 24-hour HA Sales Hotline on 2712 8000 for enquiries on matters concerning application for the purchase of GSH flats.

     The opening hours of the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) students' study rooms will be extended during the period from March 1 to May 31, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 6). People who intend to use the students' study room service during this examination period can apply for admission cards from today.

     Application forms and details of the regulations are available at all public libraries and are also downloadable from the website at www.hkpl.gov.hk/eindex.html under the "Library Notices" section. The deadline for applications is February 4, and the result will be posted on the notice boards of the respective public libraries from February 19 to 29.

     Applicants should be registered borrowers of the HKPL. Priority will be given to candidates sitting for major public exams or professional exams. Applicants can only submit one application and opt for one of the following sessions as detailed below:

March 1 to May 7 (admission card is required)
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Sessions:
Morning session: 8am to 12.30pm

Afternoon session: 12.45pm to 5.15pm

Evening session: 5.30pm to 10pm (Mondays to Fridays)
                         5.30pm to 9.30pm (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)

May 8 to 31 (seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and no admission card is required)
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Opening Hours:
8am – 10pm (Mondays to Fridays)
8am – 9.30pm (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)

     The arrangement will apply to the students' study room services at Shek Tong Tsui, Chai Wan, Quarry Bay, Aberdeen, Pok Fu Lam, Lockhart Road, Kowloon, To Kwa Wan, Ngau Tau Kok, Shui Wo Street, Lam Tin, Po On Road, Lai Chi Kok, Ngau Chi Wan, San Po Kong, Yau Ma Tei, Fa Yuen Street, Sha Tin, Ma On Shan, Yuen Chau Kok, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, North Kwai Chung, South Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Yuen Long, Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Tai Po, Sai Kung, Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O, Cheung Chau and Tung Chung Public Libraries.

     For enquiries, please contact the individual libraries or call the Customer Hotline at 2921 0208.

     The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (January 6) that five new kindergarten premises are open for application by eligible applicant bodies under the First School Allocation Exercise (SAE) 2020. Details of the five estate kindergarten premises are set out in the Annex.
 
     "The five new estate kindergarten premises available for applications under this SAE, each with six to 10 classrooms, are located at new public housing estates in Sham Shui Po, Sha Tin and Sai Kung districts and will be available by mid-2020," an EDB spokesman said.
 
     "The EDB is entrusted by the Hong Kong Housing Authority to nominate operators for the kindergarten premises. The proposed allocation is on a competitive basis. Quality of education will be the prime consideration in assessing the applications submitted by applicant bodies. Factors to be considered include the quality of the proposed school plans in running the new kindergartens and the track records of the applicant bodies in operating schools (where applicable), particularly kindergartens."
 
     All applications will be considered by the School Allocation Committee comprising official and non-official members. Applicant bodies are required to complete an application form and submit it together with the required supporting documents, a proposed school plan (of not more than 10 pages including all annexes plus a two-page executive summary) and a list of operating schools (if any). The proposed school plan should cover the vision and mission, management and organisation, learning and teaching, support for children and school culture, children's development targets and self-evaluation indicators. The applicant body may also make reference to the school(s) that it is operating and the respective performance of the school(s) to substantiate its case.
 
     In line with the EDB's established policy for school allocation, when submitting the application, the applicant body should be exempted from tax under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance, and be:
 
(1) incorporated under the Companies Ordinance (the successful applicant body would be required to ensure that its articles of association contain all the standard clauses and articles required for allocation of a school premises); or
 
(2) incorporated under other ordinances, with its constitution satisfying the Permanent Secretary for Education as being fit to be considered for allocation of a school premises.
 
     The application form for the First SAE 2020 and other reference materials can be downloaded from the EDB homepage
(www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/sch-premises-info/allocation-of-sch/index.html). More information on this SAE can also be found on the homepage.
 
     The duly completed application form and supporting documents, together with 22 copies of the proposed school plan with the executive summary and the list of operating schools, if any, should reach the Infrastructure and Research Support Division of the EDB (6/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong) by 5pm on February 3, 2020. Late or incomplete applications, as well as applications via email, will not be processed.
 
     For enquiries, please call 3509 8413 or 3509 8411.

     The Labour Department (LD) will hold a public talk entitled "First aid in the workplace" on January 13 (Monday) at 3pm. The talk will cover basic knowledge of first aid and explain how to assist and handle injured employees in workplace accidents through case illustrations. It will be given by the LD's occupational health nurse in the Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

    The LD will hold another talk entitled "Manual handling operations and prevention of back injuries" on January 16 (Thursday) at 6.30pm. Given by the LD's occupational health nurse and occupational hygienist, the talk will provide a brief account of the structure and functions of the back, causes and preventive measures of back injuries, and proper manual handling operations. A demonstration and practice of workplace exercise will be included. It will be held in Activity Room 1, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay.

     Both talks will be conducted in Cantonese. Admission is free. For enquiries or registration, please call 2852 4040.

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (January 6) invited applications for admission to a two-year full-time Enrolled Nurse (General)/Enrolled Nurse (Psychiatric) Training Programme for the welfare sector which will provide 200 and 30 places respectively.

     A spokesman for the SWD said that to alleviate the shortage of enrolled nurses in the welfare sector and enhance the quality of care services, the SWD has since 2006 organised Enrolled Nurse Training Programmes for the welfare sector and has commissioned the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) to provide the training programmes in four consecutive years since 2017.

     The training programme aims to equip graduates to become competent and caring professional nurses. It is divided into two streams, namely Enrolled Nurse (General) stream and Enrolled Nurse (Psychiatric) stream. The former is to be provided through the Higher Diploma in Nursing Studies (General Health Care) (Programme code: HDNGOSF1) organised by the OUHK while the latter will be provided through the Higher Diploma in Nursing Studies (Mental Health Care) (Programme code: HDNMOSF1). The programmes, to commence on September 1, will be conducted in the campus of the OUHK in Ho Man Tin and the university will also be responsible for the arrangement of relevant clinical practices.

     On the qualifications required, the spokesman said, "Applicants must have attained the age of 18 by the time the training programme commences and have attained Level 2 or above in five subjects, including Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and any two other subjects in Categories A and B in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination; or completed a Pre-Associate Degree programme, or an equivalent qualification."
      
     The spokesman added, "To encourage youths and front-line staff currently serving the welfare sector to upgrade their skills, priority will be accorded to applicants who have successfully completed the two-year Diploma Programme and obtained the diploma under 'Navigation Scheme for Young Persons in Care Services' launched since 2015 (or under the 'First-hire-then-train Pilot Scheme' from 2013 to 2016 ) by the SWD; or those who are currently working full-time in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or private organisations providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, youth or correctional services. Individuals who aspire to start a career as enrolled nurses in the welfare sector are also welcome."

     The SWD will fully subsidise trainees with tuition fees on the condition that the trainees have successfully completed the training programme and attained the graduation requirements within two years. Trainees will also be required to sign an undertaking to indicate their readiness to be employed as Enrolled Nurse (General) or Enrolled Nurse (Psychiatric) in the welfare sector providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, or correctional services operated by the NGOs or private organisations for a continuous period of no less than two years after satisfactory completion of the training. If in breach of this term, trainees will have to repay the SWD the tuition fees.

      Relevant information about the training programme is available on the homepage of the OUHK. Applicants must submit their applications for the programme via the Online Admission Application System of the OUHK (www.ouhk.edu.hk/FTUG_application). Hyperlinks are also provided on the SWD homepage (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_whatsnew). Application will close on February 22. For enquiries, people may contact the OUHK at 3120 2661 or 3120 2662.