Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki visited Caritas Community Centre in Tsuen Wan today to meet parents and students from grassroots families living in subdivided units.

Mr Chan first received a briefing on the operation of the centre in Tsuen Wan which, supported by government subsidies, provides services such as supporting the development of grassroots groups, improving their living conditions and running after-school care services.

He was pleased to learn that the centre is pursuing adding different facilities such as a library, a self-study room, a kitchen, an activity room and a community hall for use by parents and students from grassroots families in poor living conditions to expand their living space.

Mr Chan chatted to parents and students from families living in subdivided units to understand their living conditions as well as their views on how the current-term Government can support the development of students from grassroots families, such as providing more places for learning, language classes and extracurricular activities.

The Chief Secretary also introduced the thinking of the scheme being formulated by the inter-bureau or department task force under his charge to help disadvantaged junior secondary school students to actively strive for upward social mobility when they grow up, adding that he was delighted to hear about the participants' positive feedback on the scheme.

“In regard to disadvantaged junior secondary school students, especially those living in subdivided units, the task force being led by me is formulating at full steam a scheme to encompass three elements, namely mentorship, a personal development plan and financial support, to help the students broaden their horizons, reinforce their self-confidence, develop a positive outlook on life and set goals for their future.

“The first stage of the scheme will cater for 2,000 students and last a year.”