Hong Kong's Quality Education Fund Steering Committee said Tuesday it has approved 143 million Hong Kong dollars (18.3 million US dollars) in grants for 551 applications.

Committee chairman Tai Hay-lap said many applications aimed at developing the Liberal Studies curriculum for secondary school students under the new senior secondary structure. Some applications help promote students' national identity or instill positive life values.

"These reflect the education sector and the community's support of government's education priorities through offers of bottom-up initiatives," Tai said.

The Quality Education Fund has also continued its staunch support for information technology in education by earmarking 182 million Hong Kong dollars (23.33 million US dollars) in the next three years to help schools upgrade out-dated computers.

The disbursement will be matched by funds raised by schools and provided by the Education and Manpower Bureau.