THE Local Education Allowance (LEA) is available to all ranks of civil servants who have children (including adopted children) studying in full day or half day primary/secondary schools in Hong Kong. However, the following conditions apply:
A civil servant's child is no longer entitled to the LEA upon the child becoming 19 years of age, unless exceptional circumstances prevail (such as an applicant's child being handicapped at which time application for an LEA is subject to the approval of the Secretary for the Civil Service).
Unless approved by the Director of Education, civil servants' children obtaining LEA must study in the schools specified in the "Approved School List" of the Department of Education.
A civil servant may have a maximum of only four of his/her children receiving LEA at any one time.
In addition, the LEA is taxable and couples must avoid double benefits when claiming it, that is only one parent can apply for LEA.
The calculation of the LEA is based on three "accounting periods": from September to December, January to March and April to June of every year. For example, if a civil servant's child was born during September and December and even though he/she has not completed secondary education upon turning 19 years old, he/she is not entitled to receive the LEA for the accounting periods of January to June after his/her 19th birthday.
The LEA is granted on a monthly basis, with the formula of calculation (for the annual rate) as follows:
For primary school to Form III: 75 per cent of the fee; for Form III to Form VII (Government or subsidised schools): 75 per cent of that part of the fee which exceeds the basic charge of about $ 5,200 per annum; and for Form III to Form VII (private schools with "Government Bought Places"): 75 per cent of that part of the fee payable by the officer which excludes the Government's fee supplement and the basic charge of about $ 5,200 per annum.
There are ceilings for the annual sum of LEA claimed by a candidate, namely: $31,950 for primary school students; $53,025 for Form I to Form III students; and $49,238 for Form IV to Form VII students. The Treasury pays fees to schools in advance and will recover from the officers' salary those parts of the fee which they are required to contribute.
Officers must submit fresh applications for each academic year or when a child moves from one school to another. In this year, the applicants are requested to complete the application form (GF 380) in triplicate and submit them to the Personnel Registry, Police Headquarters through their Formation Commanders on or before 31 July 98.
For those officers whose children are due to advance to Form VI in the school year 98/99, since they will not have the details of school and tuition fees, etc, available until the announced result of the HKCEE, their applications should be submitted as soon as practicable within the month of August 98.

The M G Geraghty (Insurance Brokers) Limited Police Motor Insurance Scheme has been in place for over 7 years and more than 2,000 police officers are enjoying the many benefits offered by the AIU Limited backed scheme.
In order to continue giving police officers the best possible deal we are pleased to announce that the discount has been increased to 50 per cent for comprehensive policies and 45 per cent for Third Party and Third Party Fire and Theft Policies.
Additionally the scheme incorporates a 100 per cent indemnity feature which for new car owners who have comprehensive insurance guarantees that in the event of a total loss in the first 12 months, a full refund will be made without any depreciation.
Comprehensive policyholders enjoy all of the following benefits: 100 per cent Indemnity feature; 50 per cent Premium discount; 7 days rental car allowance; $0.30 per litre petrol/diesel discount; 24-hour free towing service; 24-hour claims hotline.
For a quotation or further details, contact M G Geraghty (Insurance Broker) Limited: 2877-8006, or fax: 2877-6723.

Officer departing Hong Kong has two cases of premium whisky available for sale at a fraction of their retail price.
Famous Grouse Gold $2,400 per case of 12 bottles (original retail price $3,600) and Jim Beam Black $2,200 per case of 12 bottles (original retail price $3,300);
Purchase of the two cases will earn you a further 10 per cent discount. Contact Gerard: 9099-0472