CSD fully launches Video Visit e-Booking Service
The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today (December 16) announced the full implementation of the Video Visit e-Booking Service, providing visitors with an additional way of paying visits to persons in custody (PICs).
Starting from today, declared visitors of PICs can make bookings for general visits to them online through the General Visit e-Services Platform (e-Services Platform). Visitors can make bookings for video visits for the next seven days at one of the five Multi-purpose Family and Rehabilitation Service Centres in Mong Kok, Shau Kei Wan, Sheung Shui, Tuen Mun and Sha Tin, or at the Lai Chi Kok Video Visit Centre. Also, visitors can use the Approved Hand-in Articles e-Ordering Service to enjoy the convenience and efficiency of e-services, saving time from shopping for approved hand-in articles on the market and bringing these articles for physical visits.
The CSD has been providing a video visit service for PICs' relatives and friends who have difficulties visiting correctional institutions due to old age, pregnancy, disabilities or other reasons. The CSD has introduced a trial run of this video visit service to declared visitors of PICs at different correctional institutions in phases since November 11 this year. Positive responses have been received since then as the service offers visitors a more convenient and people-oriented visiting experience.
The CSD emphasised that the video visit service aims to bring convenience to the public by providing them with an additional option. Visitors can still pay physical visits to correctional institutions according to their actual needs.
In order to enjoy the Video Visit e-Booking Service, visitors must be declared visitors of PICs and register for the e-Services Platform in advance. Visitors can also make bookings for physical visits and use the Approved Hand-in Articles e-Ordering Service through the e-Services Platform. Detailed information about the e-Services Platform is available on the CSD's website (www.csd.gov.hk/english/socialvisit/ins_vis_guide.html).
The Correctional Services Department, Photo source: reference image
EDB launches AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme
The Education Bureau (EDB) issued a circular today (December 16) to all public sector schools (including special schools) and Direct Subsidy Scheme schools to announce the launch of the AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme to support primary and secondary schools in utilising AI to enhance learning and teaching effectiveness. Applications will be accepted from today.
The Chief Executive proposed in the 2025 Policy Address to step up efforts to promote digital education in primary and secondary schools, and announced that the EDB has set aside $2 billion in the Quality Education Fund (QEF) to advance the relevant support measures proposed by the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education (SCSDDE). This will help Hong Kong's education embrace the opportunities of the AI era and achieve the goal of "AI for ALL subjects", where teachers utilise AI effectively to support teaching across subjects.
The Chairperson of the SCSDDE and Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, said, "The EDB is determined to make AI the core driving force behind digital transformation in schools, and support primary and secondary schools in utilising AI to enhance learning and teaching effectiveness. In this connection, within the $2 billion earmarked under the QEF, the EDB allocates approximately $500 million to launch the three-year programme starting from this school year. Schools can flexibly utilise the funding to initiate and promote school-based programmes that use AI to empower education, catering for their specific circumstances and developmental needs."
He continued, "Successful school applicants will receive one-off funding of $500,000. Schools can utilise the funding according to the guidelines to purchase/ subscribe to/ lease AI-powered devices/ services that facilitate AI-assisted teaching, and to subsidise students' participation in activities that enhance their AI literacy and skills. Generally, schools will receive the block funding of $500,000 on or before June 30, 2026. Schools can use the funding from the 2025/26 school year to the 2027/28 school year, until August 31, 2028."
The EDB encourages publicly funded schools to submit their applications for the said programme and have comprehensive planning of digital education (especially AI education) in schools, thereby empowering education through technology to enhance the quality of learning and teaching. For details of the programme and the related briefing sessions, please refer to EDB Circular No. 221/2025 (applications.edb.gov.hk/circular/upload/EDBCM/EDBCM25221E.pdf).
The Education Bureau, Photo source: reference image
