Government is understood to be working on new DSE changes, still aiming to organise HKDSE Examination

[Now News Channel] The Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) examination will be held on the 24th of this month, and some candidates are worried that the start date of the examination will be delayed again and again due to the epidemic. Chairman of the Heads of Secondary Schools Association (HSSA), Mr Tang Chun-keung, said that the community needs to discuss whether the end of the month is the right time for the examination. It is understood that the authorities have started to discuss the new phase of the contingency plan, and still aim to hold the diploma examination at full steam.

The diploma examination has been postponed to the 24th of this month. Candidate Lok Ching has read her notes over and over again, but as the epidemic has not subsided, she is worried that the diploma examination may be postponed again. She said she hoped the government would make an announcement as soon as possible, regardless of whether the examination could be held at the end of the month as scheduled, so that candidates could make adjustments and preparations as early as possible.

Mr Tang Chun-keung, Chairman of the Association of Heads of Secondary Schools, said the school sector had been actively preparing for the HKDSE Examination, but the community should further discuss whether the end of the month was suitable for the examination. He pointed out that EDB should prepare contingency plans, and the abolition of the HKDSE Examination was the worst case scenario. Overseas practices could use school results as the basis for assessing candidates' performance, but how to implement it under the Hong Kong examination system would require consultation with stakeholders and recognition by the community.

It is learnt that the Education Bureau and stakeholders have already started to discuss the contingency plan for the new phase of the HKDSE Examination, and further extension or even cancellation of the written examination has been discussed. Sources said that both options would affect university admission. If the examination is postponed, the admission process of universities and the start of the new academic year will be affected. In case the written examination is cancelled, there are also controversies in the academic sector on how to assess the results as an indicator for admission to universities. However, the source stressed that the goal of organising the HKDSE Examination under safe conditions is still in full swing.

EDB said that it would continue to follow up closely the development of the epidemic and would announce any special circumstances as soon as possible. HKEAA also reiterated that the HKDSE Examination would not be cancelled lightly and appropriate and timely contingency arrangements would be made.