AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme: how should schools plan the HK$500,000 grant?

In December 2025 the Education Bureau (EDB) launched the AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme. Funded by the Quality Education Fund (QEF), it helps publicly funded primary and secondary schools use artificial intelligence to make learning and teaching more effective. Applications closed on 28 February 2026, and successful schools generally received a one-off grant of HK$500,000 on or before 30 June 2026. The focus now is on using the grant well in the time that remains and delivering what the school committed to in its application.

Key dates

The grant can be used across school years. Any unspent balance can be carried forward to later school years until 31 August 2028. Anything still unspent after that must be returned to the QEF.

What the grant can be used for

According to the programme guidelines on the use of funding, the grant can be used for two purposes:

• Buying, subscribing to or leasing tools or services for AI-assisted teaching, including software, hardware, platforms, learning and teaching resources, and school-based AI application solutions
• Subsidising students to take part in activities organised or recognised by the school that build AI literacy and skills, either in or outside school

The guidelines also list uses that are not appropriate, such as resources unrelated to learning and teaching, renovation works, AI courses or workshops for teachers or parents, entertainment and catering, and promotional activities such as sharing sessions. They also remind schools not to concentrate the grant on a single item or a small group of students.

What schools have committed to

When applying, participating schools committed to completing the following within the programme period. It helps to plan spending backwards from these items, so that every tool bought and every activity arranged is actually put to use:

• Include “Development of AI-empowered Education” in the School Development Plan and/or Annual School Plan
• Implement AI-assisted teaching in at least 3 subjects or curriculum areas, each covering at least 2 levels, and develop at least 6 teaching examples or resources that use AI in total
• Hold at least 3 open classes or demonstration lessons on AI-assisted teaching in total, across at least 3 subjects or curriculum areas
• Hold at least 3 experience-sharing sessions on AI-assisted teaching
• Organise, or arrange for students to join, at least 2 student activities focused on building AI literacy and skills

Planning tips

A few points to consider when planning:

• Choose subjects first, then tools: decide which 3 or more subjects will take part and what teaching problem each one wants to solve, then choose suitable software or platforms. This avoids buying tools that no subject uses
• Link teaching examples and open classes: once a subject has trialled AI in class, write it up as a teaching example. The stronger ones can become open classes, so one round of preparation meets two requirements
• Spread the work over two school years: pilot with some levels in 2026/27, extend to other levels in 2027/28, and leave time to document the results
• Book student activities early: external competitions and workshops are scheduled by their organisers, so reserve places at the start of the school year
• Balance spending on devices and content: hardware without courses and teaching resources is hard for teachers to keep using, and the reverse is also true
• Keep all receipts and records: schools must keep a separate ledger account, and the related documents must be kept for at least seven years

Points to note when procuring

The guidelines require schools to follow EDB procurement procedures and the relevant circulars, and to make sure spending is cost-effective. Higher-cost items need prior approval from the School Management Committee, Incorporated Management Committee or School Management Board. When asking suppliers for quotes, ask them to state clearly the course hours, the teaching resources provided, the licence period and the ongoing support, so quotes are easier to compare.

This article is based on Education Bureau Circular Memorandum No. 221/2025 and its annexes. If anything changes, the latest information published by the EDB applies.