The Education Bureau announced today that two vacant school premises are open for applications by eligible school sponsoring bodies (SSBs) in Hong Kong under the First School Allocation Exercise (SAE) 2024.

Both are for the reprovisioning of existing aided or Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) primary schools, with a view to improving the learning and teaching environment.

The two vacant school premises, both located in Sha Tin District, are the former Hong Kong & Kowloon Chiu Chow Public Association Ma Chung Sum Secondary School at Pok Hong Estate and the former Shatin Tsung Tsin Secondary School at Sun Chui Estate.

Noting that infrastructure improvements to existing schools built to previous planning standards and designs may be infeasible due to the lack of space or other physical constraints, the bureau said existing aided or DSS primary schools in need of infrastructure upgrade may apply for the two premises for reprovisioning, regardless of districts.

Nevertheless, it pointed out that priority will be accorded to applicant schools from Sha Tin District if their overall performance is comparable to that of applicant schools from other districts.

The bureau added that, in light of the continuous decline in school-age population, when planning for the supply of school places, it will adjust the number of schools in a gradual and orderly manner with an aim of soft landing to ensure education quality and optimal use of public resources. Therefore, the SAE is only open to applications for school reprovisioning.

The bureau also stated that the SAE is conducted on a competitive basis among SSBs, while the School Allocation Committee, comprising official and non-official members, will assess the applications and make recommendations on the allocation of school premises.

The assessment will take into consideration factors including the school plan submitted by the SSB, the operation track record of the SSB and the school proposed to be reprovisioned, the demand and supply situation of school places in the district in which the school falls within and the physical condition of the school's existing premises, with education quality as the prime consideration, the bureau added.

In general, applications from schools with a site area smaller than 3,000 sq m and premises older than 30 years, which have not benefitted or have only marginally benefitted from the School Improvement Programme, will be given priority consideration if their overall performance is comparable to that of other applicants.

Applications must be submitted no later than 5pm on May 22. The application form and other details can be found online.