Hong Kong will launch a scheme to assist schools in using Putonghua (standard speaking Chinese) to teach Chinese through on-site support by Chinese mainland's experts and local consultants, the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research of Hong Kong said Thursday.

The scheme, benefiting 160 schools, will be carried out in four phases. Thirty primary schools and 10 secondary schools will receive support in each phase. Each participating school will receive support for three years.

The support includes on-site visits by Chinese mainland's professionals and local consultants in the first year to assist the school-based program's formulation of using Putonghua to teach Chinese. Local consultants will help in subsequent years.

The first phase for the 2008-09 school year is open for application. Schools must submit their application with plans for increasing classes and forms using Putonghua to teach Chinese, including their long-term goal, strategies and resources planning.

The Education Bureau's Language Learning Support Section also provides support to schools in the Chinese language subject teaching.

(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2008)