Schools urged not to make pupils with special educational needs repeat grades

Hong Kong's education authorities have advised schools against requiring students with special educational needs or severe mental illness to repeat a grade. The revised School Administration Guide warns that this practice could worsen their adjustment difficulties and mental health risks. The updated guide, issued in August, requires schools to consult a team of professionals, including educational psychologists, psychiatrists, and the school’s student support team, before considering grade retention.

Schools should explore alternative support measures tailored to the individual student's needs, such as additional time, switching to different subjects, or reducing elective courses. The guide emphasizes that grade retention should not be the sole method to assist student learning and should not be used as a punitive measure. It also advises schools to avoid high repetition rates, with primary schools not exceeding 3% and secondary schools 5% of total enrolment.

The primary school's overall repetition rate should not exceed 3 percent of total enrolment, while the rate for secondary schools should not exceed 5 percent. Principals and school heads agree that each case must be assessed holistically, considering academic performance, conduct, learning attitude, extracurricular participation, other learning needs, and parental wishes.