Education Bureau updates School Administration Manual; schools should avoid making SEN students repeat a year wherever possible

The Education Bureau has updated the School Administration Manual, stating that schools should not arrange for students with special educational needs (SEN) to repeat a year, and in particular should not have them repeat more than once; those with intellectual development disorders or severe mental illness are even less suitable for repetition. The Manual states that repeating a year will only exacerbate difficulties in social and emotional adjustment and increase mental health risks, and that schools should provide appropriate support measures as an alternative to grade retention. When considering repetition, schools must discuss the matter with parents through a multidisciplinary team, and where necessary seek the opinions of professionals such as psychiatrists.