OVERSEAS officers joining the civil service on or before 1 August 1996 and being appointed on new leave terms or having opted for the new leave terms under CSRs 1210 and 1218, together with local officers who joined the government by that date are eligible to claim the OEA their children studying overseas. However, the overseas recruits must have their children studying in their home countries in order to be eligible while local officers can only claim the allowance if their children are studying in England.
Only children of civil servants in the above-mentioned categories who between 9 and 19 years of age are entitled to enjoy the OEA.
(Note: under special circumstances, such as the applicant's child being handicapped or mentally retarded, the Secretary for the Civil Service may exercise his discretion and approve an application of OEA where the child is under the age of nine).
Applicants' children must be full time's students studying in schools being recognised as appropriate and of an acceptable standard by the Hong Kong Government. A civil servant can have a maximum of four of his/her children receiving OEA at any one time. Further, the allowance is taxable and couples must avoid double benefits when claiming it, that is only one parent can apply for OEA.
Presently, every school child eligible for OEA studying in a boarding junior (Primary) school in England is entitled to a maximum of 7,434 Pounds Sterling of OEA per annum whereas a boarding student in a senior(secondary and tertiary) school in England is entitled to 9,138 Pounds Sterling per annum. That allowance, termed "Boarding School Allowance", is different from the "Day School Allowance" with a maximum amount of 1,289 Pounds Sterling per annum for the day school students studying in England.
Civil servants claiming "Boarding School Allowance", must pay 10 per cent of their child's boarding and tuition fee, the remainder of which will be covered by the OEA claimed.
Claimants of OEA must first pay for the relevant fees and then apply for reimbursement from the government.
The application forms are OEA1,2,3,3A,4 and 5.
For further details, please contact the Personnel and Appointments Section:2860-3616 and 3668; or the Staff Relations Hotline:2866-7519.

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.

HONG KONG POLICE Force staff are offered great discounts on brand name air conditioners, televisions, clothes washers, VCRs, refrigerators and more during the Hong Kong Consumer Product Supply Services Association's electrical products promotional sale in the Reading Room of the Police Officer's Club on Saturday and Sunday 25-26 July from 11am to 7pm.
Organised by the Police Welfare Bargain Co-ordinating Unit, shoppers should bring cash.
Visa cards and cheques will be accepted for delivery orders.