Schools urged not to make pupils with special educational needs repeat grades
Por Jess Ma — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement Education in Hong Kong Hong Kong Education Schools urged not to make pupils with special educational needs repeat grades
‘Repeating a grade will only aggravate their social and emotional adjustment difficulties and increase mental health risks,’ guide says
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Jess Ma Published: 9:14pm, 13 Oct 2026
Hong Kong schools should not require students with special educational needs or severe mental illness to repeat a grade, under revised education authorities’ guidance that warns the practice could worsen their adjustment difficulties.
The latest version of the Education Bureau’s School Administration Guide requires subsidised schools considering grade retention for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) to consult parents through a team of professionals, including an educational psychologist.
“Repeating a grade will only aggravate their social and emotional adjustment difficulties and increase mental health risks,” according to the guide, updated in August and brought to light on Tuesday.
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