Today is the first day of semester, but Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) announced a research yesterday. 15% of families have expended more than 50% of family monthly budget on the expenditure of the new semester.

Semester Expenditure is Heavy Burden

The research has been conducted from 13 to 25 August, interviewed 300 parents which have the children studied in primary or secondary school. Among the parents of primary school, there are 45% parents who have disbursed HK$1,000 to 2,000 on textbooks, and more than 30% have paid more than HK$2,000, and costing HK$500 to 1,000 to buy the other related items. Similarity, the item of textbooks is the most costing of the parents of secondary school. Over 40% of them paid HK$1,000 to 2,000 to buy the textbook. About 30% of the parents have paid more than HK$2,000. On the related items, the same amount that the 40% parents have spent.

Compared with all items in the research, not less than 30% of the parents reckon it is the heavy burden. Over 70% of them believe the textbooks are more expensive than last year. Near 50% parents will absolutely apply for the subsidiary from Student Financial Assistance Agency whereas bringing the effect of semester’s expenditure down at the family budgeting. To sum up the result, textbooks are the most increment items in the budget of semester.

Family Affairs Committee Chairman of DAB, Mr. Cheng Yong Shun suggested that Government could give a hand to the lower salary family to reduce their financial pressure. At the same time, he proposed the additional items; for example, tax deductible for diminishing the financial pressure from the children expenditure on schooling. Or re-launch Student Travel Card Scheme for the students could have the discount on the public transportation. In fact, the most efficient is accelerating of providing the 15-year free education.