The government is considering increasing the number of first-year university places, but will ensure there are sufficient resources before doing so, Secretary for Education Michael Suen said yesterday.

He was giving legislators further explanations on parts of the policy address that are related to his portfolio when he announced the plan.

"We are considering whether to increase the number of first-year university places to 14,500," he said. "But the fiscal condition is tight under the financial crisis. We need to consider it carefully and estimate how much cost we can bear in the long run."

Suen added the government will develop the city into an education hub, attracting overseas students, and reiterated that the tertiary education sector has achieved much progress over the past years.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for Education Raymond Wong also told legislators that the government will ensure universities have sufficient funding for expansion in preparation for the four-year tertiary education system, which will be implemented in 2012.

Meantime, Suen urged under-enrolled secondary schools to cautiously consider the options offered by the bureau Wednesday in order to continue operating.

Schools that are under-enrolled (failing to open three secondary one classes) for the first time this year may continue operating if their sponsoring bodies can inject additional resources or if they can collaborate with post-secondary institutions in organizing special and practical courses.

"This is a serious decision to make. The schools need to assess their own circumstances. If they are committed to education and if their sponsoring bodies can inject additional capital, we will give these schools a chance," he said.

(HK Edition 10/24/2008 page1)