Hong Kong education needs to be more inclusive for students enrolled in special needs schools
This year for International Youth Day, the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union calls for more help for SEN students
There is a growing demand for inclusive education in the cityThis year’s International Youth Day, which falls on Monday, aims to transform education and calls for a more inclusive system.
In Hong Kong, according to the Legislative Council Secretariat’s Research Office, 7,896 SEN (special education needs) students were enrolled in special needs schools in the 2017-18 academic year. The number was similar to that of 2013-14 when 7,904 SEN students opted for special needs schools.
However, from 2013-14 to 2017-18, there was a 34 per cent increase of SEN students entering mainstream classrooms, from 33,830 to 45,360.
This shows that more SEN students, or their parents, prefer normal schools where SEN students and non-SEN students spend most or all of their time together in class.
Understanding special education needs students and celebrating our differences
Despite the growing demand for inclusive education, Fung Wai-wah, president of the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union, pointed out there were several hurdles to implementing it in Hong Kong.
One was the lack of resources. According to the union’s report published in March this year, each mainstream school set aside resources worth about HK$100,000-HK$120,000 for its SEN students each year. This is in stark contrast to the resources a special needs school is able to provide for its students, which amount to HK$200,000-HK$360,000.
How educational psychologists help SEN students learn to the best of their abilities
The lack of professional staff was another problem. The union said the government should increase the teacher-to-student ratio, so more attention can be given to each student.
Also, it said that one educational psychologist is responsible for six to 10 schools in Hong Kong. On average, he or she only gets to stay at one school for 18-22 days every year. The union hopes the government will hire more educational psychologists, so each one serves only four schools at most.
The theme for this year’s International Youth Day is “Transforming Education”. It is based on Goal Four of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which “ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all”.