A government-commissioned study has found that teenagers who took part in its mentorship scheme found the programme beneficial – having improved their financial planning skills, confidence and sense of belonging.

Polytechnic University researchers spoke to around 2,600 grassroots teenagers, who joined the first phase of the Strive and Rise programme that paired them with mentors.

The junior secondary students on average gave themselves a score of 4.22 out of 6 on financial planning after completing the year-long programme late last year – 12 percent higher than before they joined the scheme.

The survey also showed the teenagers describing themselves as becoming more confident, feeling a greater sense of belonging, as well as developing stronger interpersonal skills.

At a press conference summing up the first phase of the programme, one of the participants, Li Ching-po, said he learnt how to make small talk when meeting someone new.

He added that he had used the HK$10,000 allowance provided by the programme to pay for his violin lessons.

"With the support and encouragement from my mentors, I found my dream of becoming a great violin teacher," he said. "I hope I'll become an accomplished violinist and fulfil my dream."

Chief Secretary Eric Chan, who had been overseeing the programme, said he was happy to see the participants' growth.

He brushed aside criticism that some teenagers did not get to see their mentors often.

"We know that not every mentor has a lot of free time on their hands. [But] they signed up on their own, and I believe they wanted to do this and knew they had to devote some of their time. Our records show that the mentors and participants met 12 times a year on average," Chan said.

"I can say that most of our mentors were very responsible."

The minister said the government wants to keep the scheme running, and serve a total of 12,000 participants by the year 2025-2026.