Further providing air-conditioning systems to all aided schools will involve a huge amount of public resources and needs to be considered cautiously.
Secretary for Education Eddie Ng told lawmakers today air-conditioning systems are not considered as standard teaching facilities under the prevailing policy, and they are only provided to schools and facilities most in need.
The Education Bureau will install air-conditioning systems for some special rooms in schools due to the equipment or devices therein and the rooms' functions.
Schools can deploy the Expanded Operating Expenses Block Grant to pay for the electricity fees incurred by air-conditioning systems and fees relating to routine maintenance arranged by the schools themselves.
The bureau will also provide a Noise Abatement Grant to schools with air-conditioning systems installed as noise mitigation measures.
In the 2016-17 school year, the annual amount of grant for aided secondary, whole-day primary and special schools is $8,993 per classroom and $22,810 per special room.
For special schools for children with physical disability and severe intellectual disability, the annual grant for electricity fees and maintenance fees for air-conditioning systems is $10,458 per room.
