The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, visited Hok Yau Club's Student Guidance Centre today (July 19), a day before the release of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination results, to learn about its counselling services and to show support for candidates who receive such services.
 
     Accompanied by Chairman of Hok Yau Club and Legislative Council Member Dr Simon Hoey Lee, Dr Choi toured the Student Guidance Centre and was briefed on its facilities and services, including the further studies and career information centre, the counselling hotline and information services covering publications on examination preparation and further studies.
 
     Dr Choi thanked Hok Yau Club for providing guidance services since 1982, helping generations of candidates of the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination and the HKDSE Examination. This year, in addition to setting up 38 telephone counselling hotlines, Hok Yau Club has enhanced its online counselling services by adding a visual meeting and live chat platform to cater for the social habits of students living in the new normal. While joining a visual meeting, Dr Choi took the opportunity to thank the counsellors and greet the candidates online with best wishes and encouragement.
 
     Dr Choi said, "Candidates of the current-year HKDSE Examination have faced many challenges, with their three-year senior secondary school life affected by the epidemic. To this end, the Government has joined forces with schools and voluntary organisations to support them and strengthen measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the HKDSE Examination and completion of their secondary education.
 
     "Students may inevitably be anxious before and after the release of examination results. I hope that all of them can relax, in view of the abundant opportunities for further studies and development. If needed, they may talk to their teachers or voluntary organisations. This not only reduces the stress, but also helps them map out their future in a calm manner."
 
     A total of around 50 000 candidates entered the HKDSE Examination this year. Various institutions have prepared different types of courses providing around 62 000 places in total, allowing students to select a suitable pathway based on their abilities and interests.
 
     Dr Choi encouraged candidates to come up with their own development blueprint, given the diversified study pathways with multiple entry and exit points. She said she was confident that with determination and perseverance they would succeed in whichever pathway they choose.

Ends/Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:17

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