DSE Candidates To Benefit From Online Counselling

With many students who sat this year's Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exam not expected to pick up the results in person on Wednesday, many schools say they'll be offering one-on-one online counselling services for those in need.

This year, DSE results will be offered online to help prevent students and staff from gathering in schools amid the coronavirus outbreak. The vice chairman of the Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools, Vincent Lin, says members are ready to deliver the exam results both online and on campus.

Traditionally, students gather in schools and pick out the results along with their classmates, while offering support for one another and discussing their options. With the absence of face-to-face contact this year, Lin said schools will fill the gap by providing online counselling to students.

"Many schools have organised real-time counselling services for their own students," Lin said. "Form teachers, guidance teachers, career teachers and social workers provide different time slots for each individual student. We work collaboratively to provide individual care to our students, so that students would be able to make a wise choice on their own career development."

But Lin also said those who prefer face-to-face counselling won't be left out.

"The school campus is still open. If necessary, students could come back to their schools as well, so that teachers and social workers can provide more direct assistance to students."

Education Secretary Kevin Yeung said on social media that 2020 has been a difficult year for students, with the Covid-19 outbreak forcing the suspension of schools and delaying the DSE exam.

He encouraged students to overcome their challenges, insisting various education and other opportunities are available.

Students are expected to receive their DSE results via email by 9 am on Wednesday.

"In the long run, we expect the exam authority to establish an official centralised website, so that candidates can check their own results directly," Lin said.