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The question of who can qualify for scholarships under the HK$480 million fund proposed in the budget was thrown into confusion when a government source revealed that it is for those who wish to study English or courses related to child education.

The fund, which will generate around HK$24 million annually, will be used to subsidize 20 students at top overseas universities with an upper limit of HK$300,000 each per year.

Applications will be accepted from September at the earliest for the 2014-15 academic year.

The source said successful applicants who fail to meet the two-year service requirement on graduation will have to refund the money. They are also not allowed to teach in private schools or tutorial centers during the period.

However, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah told the Legislative Council Finance Committee there are no strings attached to the proposal.

Michael Tien Puk-sun of the New People's Party said the offer of only 20 places is too few. He also questioned the restrictions.

"If you are worried the students will choose business-related courses, you can set a cap on the scholarship," Tien said.

"Since you are spending so much public money, why limit it to only those who want to study English or become teachers instead of allowing them to pursue their own interests?"

Tsang said there are no restrictions but added that details will be announced by the Education Bureau later.

"As far as I know there are no restrictions as yet," Tsang said.

"There are many students who would like the chance to study overseas. I hope they can contribute to society after utilizing the government's resources."

Tien then asked Tsang to again clarify if there are any restrictions, but the discussion was cut off by panel chairman Tommy Cheung Yu-yan as time was up.

Education sector lawmaker Ip Kin-yuen said the budget did not take into consideration the opinion of the education sector.

Ip also told The Standard that what the government source, the bureau and Tsang are saying are only adding to the confusion.

"I was surprised when Tsang said there are no restrictions. It seems to me that the top officials are not communicating very well," Ip said.

"The policy itself is strange. The problem is the difficulty in employing and retaining teachers. The money should be spent on training local teachers.

"Many of us were looking forward to measures such as small-class teaching and subsidies for associate degree students. This is way different from what we expected."

Secretary for Education Eddie Ng Hak-kim said English and kindergarten education had been considered originally.

"But as there are 20 scholarships we should not rule out other subjects," he said while attending an award ceremony in Tseung Kwan O.

A spokesman for the financial secretary's office explained that Tsang meant those studying English and child education would be given priority though details would be left to the bureau.

Meanwhile, a University of Hong Kong poll found that 37 percent of 1,024 respondents are "50-50" on the budget, while 31 percent are dissatisfied.