Letters | As Hong Kong schools reopen, closing the learning gap must be the top priority

Readers discuss the need to help underprivileged children in the resumption of school, the lack of access to safe and affordable abortions in Hong Kong, and wonder about the science behind beach and pool closures

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Primary school pupils in Tseun Wan cross the road, led by their teacher, in 2021. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 11:30am, 20 Apr 2022Updated: 11:35am, 20 Apr 2022

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Recently, the government announced that in-person school teaching will gradually resume in the coming days. It is important to ensure students from all socioeconomic backgrounds have equal access to learning, whether online or face to face.

The authorities announced that resumption dates would vary according to grade, and online learning would be provided if in-person classes have not yet restarted. However, children from disadvantaged backgrounds have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic-driven digital divide.

According to Save the Children Hong Kong’s recent study on the impact of the pandemic on underprivileged families, almost two-thirds do not feel their home environment supports online learning, because of space, device and internet connection issues. Around 95 per cent of parents are very concerned about their children’s education.

To alleviate these negative impacts, learning recovery progammes are needed. For example, catch-up classes or small group tutorials can be arranged based on a simple assessment so that students with similar needs can be grouped accordingly.

Targeted interventions to ensure that underprivileged children can go safely back to school are also needed. New rules introduced on campus require that all students and teachers do daily rapid antigen tests (RAT). The extra testing expenses could be a financial strain on those from low-income households. As we have learned from the families we serve in our community centre, many of whom live in subdivided flats, the pandemic has caused tremendous stress, with many fearing for their health and experiencing financial hardship.