Editorial | Hong Kong students pass their hardest test
- Each one of those who sat the university entrance exams deserve to be congratulated after overcoming the challenges of social unrest and a health crisis
Students who sat the university entrance examination this year have every reason to feel proud. They have endured extraordinary hardship since last summer – class disruptions, delays and cancellations, stringent health measures at examination halls, and disputes over a controversial question in a history paper.
Yet many managed to perform well in the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) tests. Regardless of their individual scores, they are all achievers and deserve congratulations.
The pressure and inconvenience facing students amid prolonged social unrest and a pandemic can only be imagined. Some 50,000 candidates had to put up with online learning – often at irregular intervals – badly affected study routines and repeatedly adjusted exam arrangements.
While there were those who felt distressed and helpless, others stayed positive and rose to the challenge. The online release of results yesterday may have even made the occasion less eventful, with youngsters unable to gather and share their joy or sorrow with schoolmates and teachers.
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Hong Kong secondary students learn online amid coronavirus fears
Although there were only seven top scorers compared with 12 last year, it is hard to say whether the adverse conditions are reflected in this performance. However, students must have been relieved to learn that competition for subsidised university programmes is not as keen as before.
