Precautionary measures and face-to-face class arrangement during Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination period

     Given the volatile situation of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Education Bureau (EDB) and the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) have been communicating closely with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and the education sector to ensure the 2021 HKDSE will be able to commence on April 23 under safe circumstances.

      A spokesman for the EDB said today (March 17) that the health and safety of the candidates and examination administrators are the  prime concern.  As the HKDSE examinations of the Core Subjects involve many candidates, the HKEAA, having taken into account CHP's advice, has enhanced the precautionary measures, including requesting the schools that will serve as examination centres to make use of their school halls and classrooms of different floors as far as possible to segregate the candidates, with a view to increasing the social distance and reducing the chances for candidates to contact each other.

     To complement with the needs of stepping up precautionary measures, the EDB announced that schools providing examination venues for this year's HKDSE should suspend face-to-face classes from April 26 to 30 and May 3 to release more classrooms for examination venues and teachers for assuming the role of invigilators. Schools may decide whether to arrange online teaching for other classes based on their school-based circumstances. The EDB is thankful for the collaboration of schools and teachers endeavouring for the smooth implementation of the HKDSE. 

     The HKEAA will issue a letter to inform schools of the above arrangements.