EDB Circular No. 221/2025

Understanding 『智』啟學教｜Planning for the Next Funding Cycle

Up to HK$500,000 per school · One platform for Learn → Teach → Assess → Research

「『智』啟學教」 is the Hong Kong EDB funding programme supporting subsidised primary and secondary schools in adopting AI platforms, hardware, and school-based training. This page helps principals and AI coordinators understand the programme structure, KPI requirements, and how Essai can support the next application cycle. Essai is an HK-local provider covering software, school-based customisation, and teacher development in a single solution.

We're nearing the end of the academic year. The next funding cycle is expected to open with the new school year in September. Now is the best time to plan and prepare your application.

Book a 30-minute strategy sessionWhatsApp us now

How Essai Covers All Three Funding Categories

The programme covers software, hardware, and school-based solutions. Essai can be deployed in any combination.

① Software & Platform

One platform for every teacher at the school — not just the language and maths panels.

  • ✓Core subjects: Chinese, English, Putonghua, Mathematics (essay grading, oral, reading, listening)
  • ✓Self-study content: Humanities, Science, ICT (primary + secondary)
  • ✓Cross-subject homework: any teacher (Music, PE, GS, Visual Arts) can assign a YouTube video — AI auto-generates and auto-marks comprehension MC questions
  • ✓Teacher dashboard + student self-study + progress tracking

② Hardware Deployment (Optional)

Local LLM deployment for schools with strict data privacy needs.

  • ✓Local LLM server (Mac Studio / Nvidia DGX)
  • ✓Data never leaves school premises — fully private cloud
  • ✓Can be mixed with Essai cloud deployment
  • ✓Installation and maintenance by Essai team

③ School-Based Solutions

Customised to each school's curriculum and assessment standards.

  • ✓Custom-trained rubrics matching school marking standards
  • ✓Aligned with TSA, HKAT, DSE and school-based assessments
  • ✓Teacher training and cross-school exchange activities
  • ✓Two AI literacy workshops for students

How Essai Meets EDB KPI Requirements

The programme requires schools to cover "3 subjects × 2 levels × 6 resource types." Essai delivers all of this in one package.

All-Subject Coverage
Core academic (Chinese, English, Putonghua, Maths) + Humanities, Science, ICT self-study + cross-subject homework via YouTube + AI-generated MC for every non-core teacher (Music, PE, GS, Visual Arts)
2 Level Bands
From lower primary through senior secondary
6 Resource Types
Lesson generation, auto-marking, oral conversation, reading & listening, maths problem-solving, oral assessment
Demo Lesson Plans
Complete lesson plans and post-lesson review materials
Teacher Development
Per-semester training plus cross-school exchange
Student Workshops
Two AI literacy workshops covering ethics, prompting, and hands-on building

Four Student AI Competencies

Aligned with the EDB AI literacy framework, Essai student workshops cover all four learner roles.

01
AI User
GenAI fundamentals and prompt engineering
02
AI Builder
Python basics, RAG hands-on workshops
03
AI Creator
Image, video, and audio generation tools
04
Critical Thinker
Deepfake detection, algorithmic bias, AI ethics

Why Schools Choose Essai

Data Owned by School
All student data stays in a private environment. ESSAi never uses school data for training. Full portability on request.
Hong Kong Local Team
HK-registered company with local engineering, training, and Cantonese-speaking support.
School-tested
From subsidised primary/secondary to DSS schools — real school-based data and success stories.
School-Based, Not Generic
Built to match your school's rubrics, question types, and assessment formats.
Trusted by HK Schools

Schools using ESSAi to apply for AI funding

What HK school leaders say

「本校今年在三至六年級的中英文作文口語中引入 AI 平台批改，為學生提供即時而多層次的回饋，幫助他們掌握不足並逐步改善，培養自主學習。同時，AI 減輕了老師的基礎批改工作，讓我們能專注於引導學生進行高層次思維訓練與表達能力的提升，促進專業成長。 過程中，我們與公司保持緊密溝通，並按校本需要不斷調整，令平台更貼近前線需要。這次經驗讓我們看到 AI 在教學上的可能性：它不是取代老師，而是可靠的輔助工具。透過擁抱 AI，我們不僅提升效能，更擴闊了教育的視野，為學生的學習旅程增添更多可能。」
海怡寶血小學
周副校長
「一：網頁設計簡潔，電腦、平板及手提電話均方便使用。 二：內容多取材 TSA，可以作為試前練習，提升學生口語能力。」
中華基督教會蒙黃花沃紀念小學
普通話科主任 鮑老師
Step-by-step guide

「智」啟學教 HK$500K — 12-Step Application Guide

A practical guide to Circular Memorandum 221/2025: 3×2×6 KPI breakdown, 12-step timeline, and the 3 most-common pitfalls in proposal writing.

Read the full guide →

Prepare Early for the Next Funding Cycle

Even before the next window opens, it is not too early to plan. We can help you scope school-specific needs, draft the application framework, and prepare proposals and quotations. Book a free 30-minute on-site strategy session.

Essai is a product of TalentCoop (學而人才庫). Tenders, quotations and contracts are signed with TalentCoop.

Contact ESSAi to plan your next funding cycle

Fill in the form below — we will respond within 24-48 hours to help scope your school needs, application framework, and KPI design.

Or reach us directly:

Book a 30-minute strategy sessionWhatsApp us now