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Education Bureau Jan 2013. Trading Operations in Schools Fundamental Principles and Relevant Guidelines. Relevant Requirements. When schools operate / conduct on the school premises any business / trading operations, or supply items for the exclusive use of their students, they should.
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Education Bureau Jan 2013 Trading Operations in SchoolsFundamental Principles and Relevant Guidelines
Relevant Requirements When schools operate / conduct on the school premises any business / trading operations, or supply items for the exclusive use of their students, they should • Obtain prior permission in writing from the approval authority • Refer to relevant provisions of the Education Ordinance, Education Regulations and Codes of Aid to ensure compliance with the necessary requirements
Principle 1 – Freedom to Choose • No purchase or acceptance of paid services should be compulsory
Principle 2 – Quotation/Tendering Schools should adopt an open, fair and competitive system to select goods and services provided by suppliers/contractors • At regular intervals • Preferably not exceeding three years
Principle 3 – Acceptance of Donations Acceptance of donations or advantages from the suppliers/contractors should be considered only in very exceptional circumstances with compelling reasons and should be approved by School Management Committees (SMCs) /Incorporated Management Committees (IMCs) Any benefits contributed by suppliers/contractors, if any, would rather go to students direct
Principle 4 - Use of Profits/Net Income The profits/net income arising from trading operations • Should be applied for the purposes of directly benefiting the students of the schools • Should not be transferred to the respective Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) or School Sponsoring Bodies (SSBs)
Guideline 2 – Prevention of Conflict of Interest and Bribery SMCs/IMCs should require SMC/IMC members and school staff to make declaration of pecuniary or other personal interests annually Schools should built in a probity clause in the service contract to prevent the suppliers/contractors and his employees from bribery
Guideline 3 - Involvement of PTAs/SSBs PTAs/SSBs representing school to conduct trading operations are requested to • Obtain priordelegation from the SMCs/IMCs • Comply with the principles and guidelines set out in EDB Circular No. 24/2008 PTAs or SSBs wishing to undertake trading operations should be treated as one of the bidders and subject to competitive bidding. The tendering procedures should be conducted by schools.
Guideline 4 - Communication with Parents Schools are requested to inform / notify parents • Purchase or acceptance of paid services is voluntary • Prices of goods and services provided by the suppliers/contractors • Donations and advantages obtained from suppliers/contractors
Guideline 5 – Profit Limit • No profit would be generated from sale of textbooks • The profit from sale of exercise books, school uniforms, stationery, equipment and other items (other than textbooks) should be limited to 15% of the cost price at which they are purchased from the suppliers • The profits should be applied for the purposes of directly benefiting the students of the schools
Guideline 6 - Monitoring Trading Operations Schools are recommended to set up a committee to: • Conduct quotations/tenders and to select suppliers /contractors according to the provisions stipulated in the EDB Circular No. 15/2007 • Review regularly the goods/services provided by the suppliers/contractors • Investigate into complaints about trading operations, etc.
Guideline 7 – Proper Records Schools are requested to • Keep books of accounts and relevant records on all sales and purchases for inspection by EDB officers • Update regularly donation register for inspection by EDB officers
Guideline 7 – Proper Records Compelling reasons for accepting the donation if the donor is one of the school’s suppliers/contractors SMC’s/IMC’s Approval (School’s reference no. and date)
Points to Note - Quotation/Tendering Schools are advised to • Request staff who are deployed by suppliers/contractors to work in schools frequently / regularly to undergo Sexual Conviction Record Check and to allow schools to have access to the checking results Applications for SCRC should be submitted by the staff concerned voluntarily • Website of SCRC: http://twdc.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_useful_info/scrc.html
Provisions and reference materials Regulations 99A and 99B of the Education Regulations Ordinance 40BF and 40BG of the Education Ordinance Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, Cap 201 EDB Circular No. 14/2003- Acceptance of Advantages and Donations by Schools and Their Staff EDB Circular No. 15/2007- Tendering and Purchasing Procedures in Aided Schools EDB Circular No. 24/2008- Trading Operations in Schools
Reference Materials on EDB Homepage • School Administration • Financial Management • Reference Materials on Trading Operations
Reference Materials on EDB Homepage School Administration Regulations Checklist on Common Administrative Issues in Aided Schools Points to Note on Financial Management of Aided Schools