EDB responds to Ombudsman's direct investigation report
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The EDB would like to express its gratitude for the work of the Ombudsman in the direct investigation, and would carefully examine and actively follow up on the report's practicable recommendations.
The EDB has all along attached great importance to the quality of operation of the boarding sections of special schools and their care for boarders. The EDB has been playing a monitoring role, exercising the statutory power conferred by the Education Ordinance to monitor the operation of boarding sections and providing professional advice and support for schools with a view to ensuring the respective management and operation are in compliance with laws and regulations to safeguard the well-being of students.
In 2021, the EDB compiled the "Practice Guide for Special Schools on Planning and Managing Boarding Service" (Practice Guide) to assist special schools in planning and managing the services of their boarding sections in a more systematic way to better support boarders in respect of daily care, living safety, learning support, socialisation and transition arrangements. Under the school-based management policy, schools have to continuously review and assess the effectiveness of work in various aspects for improvement and development of their boarding services.
From April 2021 to August 2022, the EDB visited all special schools with a boarding section to understand the implementation of the Practice Guide. After reviewing the overall situation, the EDB is preparing to set up a working group comprising representatives from the EDB, relevant government departments, special schools and school sponsoring bodies, and persons with experience in caring for children with disabilities, to review the Practice Guide in a holistic manner, with a view to providing more detailed, specific and clear guidelines.
The EDB will continue to strengthen the monitoring of and support for special schools and their boarding sections, review the implementation of relevant measures and listen to the views of the sector and different stakeholders, so as to further enhance the existing measures.
Ends/Thursday, April 27, 2023
Issued at HKT 18:35
Issued at HKT 18:35
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