Education Chief Pressed To Make DSE Decision Soon

Education Secretary Kevin Yeung said on Thursday that authorities still want Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams to go on as planned from April 24, and the government will make an announcement as soon as possible if there is any change.

He said this as several lawmakers at a finance committee meeting pressed the education chief to announce a decision on whether the university entrance examinations will go ahead as planned.

The DSE exams were postponed once due to the coronavirus situation and reports have indicated that the date will be changed again.

“It’s just two weeks before the 24th, it’s very unfair to these candidates because they’ve been working hard on this," said social welfare sector lawmaker Shiu Ka-chun. "So please give us a quick answer and tell us whether it’s going to proceed or not, don’t wait a week until the date.”

Pro-government lawmaker Michael Tien also urged Yeung to give a date for when the Education Bureau will announce its decision.

"Would you give them a date on, say 21 or 22, saying whether or not exams will go ahead on 24? Can you at least give a cut-off date," he asked.

Yeung said the government will keep an eye on the situation to make sure holding the exams is safe for students.

The exams were originally scheduled for March 24, but were postponed by a month due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Some local media reports have suggested the exams may be delayed further by a few weeks, or even months.

Education sector lawmaker Ip Kin-yuen, meanwhile, raised concerns about a lack of face masks for students. He said students take more than one exam each day and if they have to keep wearing the same mask, they could be exposed to the virus.