Life-wide Learning and Sister School Grant (Disbursed to Publicly-funded Schools since 2025/26 School Year)
Starting from the 2025/26 school year, EDB has consolidated the Grant for the Sister School Scheme, Life-wide Learning Grant and Outdoor Education Camp Scheme subsidy into the Life-wide Learning and Sister School Grant (LWLSSG) with a view to improving flexibility, utilisation and synergy. The LWLSSG has been provided to all public sector schools (including special schools) and schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS schools).
The LWLSSG is comprised of two components, namely, the Life-wide Learning Grant and the Sister School Grant. Within the ambit of the LWLSSG, schools may flexibly deploy the aggregate amount for organising student learning activities outside the classroom and arranging sister school exchange activities at the levels of students, teachers and school management, without being bound by respective provisions (except for the specified expenditure items subject to allocation limits).
With effect from the 2026/27 school year, the LWLSSG will be included in the Expanded Operating Expenses Block Grant (EOEBG), as one of the school-specific constituent grants for aided schools with an Incorporated Management Committee (IMC) (aided IMC schools) (including special schools)/the Expanded Subject and Curriculum Block Grant (ESCBG) for government schools/the recurrent subsidy for DSS schools (DSS subsidy), so as to enhance schools’ flexibility in deploying the block grant, thereby enabling versatile use of resources across various purposes. As for aided schools without an IMC (aided non-IMC schools) and all caput schools, the LWLSSG will continue to be disbursed as a purpose-specific grant.
Circular
Records of Mainland Sister Schools
In accordance with the record of Mainland sister schools as reported by schools and verified by EDB as of 15 September of each year, EDB will confirm whether a school will be provided with the provision of the Sister School Grant component for the respective school year. Therefore, after forming Mainland sister schools on own initiative, schools should proactively submit the completed Reporting Form on Mainland Sister Schools and copies of relevant supporting documents to EDB, and allow sufficient time for verification to be completed before the deadline.
Rates of LWLSSG
Starting from the 2026/27 school year, the rates of the LWLSSG for aided IMC primary and secondary schools and all government primary and secondary schools will be adjusted by the same proportion as the annual adjustment in the rates of EOEBG/ESCBG. The adjusted grant rates will also apply to aided non-IMC primary and secondary schools and all caput schools.
Similarly, as for special schools, the rates of the LWLSSG will be adjusted by the same proportion as the annual adjustment in the rates of EOEBG for aided special schools starting from the 2026/27 school year.
For the latest rates of the LWLSSG, please refer to the LWLSSG webpage of the EDB.
For DSS schools, the LWLSSG will be subsumed in the DSS unit subsidy rates with effect from the 2026/27 school year.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the frequently asked questions regarding the utilisation of the LWLSSG, please refer to Frequently Asked Questions on the LWLSSG webpage of EDB.
Prior to using the LWLSSG for sister school exchange activities, schools should read in conjunction with other frequently asked questions in relation to the Sister School Scheme under Questions and Answers.
Other Relevant Information
For other information regarding the LWLSSG, please visit the LWLSSG webpage of EDB.