[CityUHK Research for the Future] CityUHK fosters inclusive education in Hong Kong: addressing SEN assessment bottlenecks

In recent years, support for preschool children with special educational needs (SEN) has improved as societal awareness has grown. Early identification and intervention of children with SEN is essential to improve the effectiveness of treatment. For ten years, Professor Anna Hui Nana, Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), has led an interdisciplinary team to drive policy change using scientific evidence. Their efforts have had a remarkable effect, and waiting times for SEN assessments for preschool children in Hong Kong have plummeted from 16.6 months in 2015 to “zero waiting time” in 2024/25.

The On-Site Preschool Rehabilitation Services (OPRS), funded by the Social Welfare Department of the HKSAR Government, aim to provide on-campus rehabilitation services for children with varying degrees of special needs attending kindergarten or kindergarten-cum-child care centres. Commissioned to conduct two studies, one in 2016 and one in 2019, Professor Hui’s team evaluated the effectiveness and feasibility of the OPRS pilot programme, as well as the performance of students transitioning to primary school after leaving OPRS. The research team found that preschool children with SEN thrived with the support of OPRS, showing significant progress in key developmental areas such as cognition, language and social skills.

Following positive feedback from the research team and OPRS participants, the Social Welfare Department regularised OPRS in Hong Kong in 2018 and launched the Tier 1 Support Services in Kindergartens/Kindergarten-cum-Child Care Centres pilot project in 2020 to strengthen support for preschool students with SEN based on the study’s findings. Professor Hui’s team evaluated the programme’s effectiveness, demonstrating that the services helped better equip teachers and parents to support preschool children with SEN. With unanimous approval from the Legislative Council’s Panel on Welfare Services, the Tier 1 Support Services were regularised and subsequently received an allocation of HK$170 million in funding.

Professor Hui’s research team received further funding from the Social Welfare Department to create the Child Observation Checklist (COC-15), enabling teachers to identify children with SEN early and accurately. As the only standardised tool for initial screening in the city, it helps children reach their full potential faster than ever, earning praise from the HKSAR Government, educators, caregivers and parents. Since September 2023, the COC-15 has been adopted by all 21 NGOs providing OPRS and Tier 1 Support Services. It is now used in 883 preschools, covering 91% of all kindergartens under the Kindergarten Education Scheme in Hong Kong.

Since its pilot phase, the OPRS programme has benefitted over 15,500 children in 1,026 kindergartens. It has significantly reduced the waiting time for SEN assessments for local preschool children from 16.6 months in 2015 to 4.3 months in 2021/22 and achieved “zero waiting time” in 2024/25.

Professor Hui believes that early intervention lays a solid foundation for the success of students with SEN. She emphasises that improving the identification capabilities and efficiency of parents and teachers is crucial for the development of these children, and continues to champion support policies for preschool students with special needs, ensuring sustained progress and measurable outcomes.

The Heep Hong Society, Hong Kong’s largest OPRS operator, agrees that the Tier 1 Support Services significantly improve the early identification of children at risk of developmental disabilities. Ms Rachel Leung Wai-ling, CEO of the Heep Hong Society, said, “As told by kindergarten principals, they have had great difficulties in telling the parents the possible delay of their kids, not to mention taking them to the CAS for developmental assessment. Now, with the professional support from the Tier 1 Team, they could work together to communicate with the parents who are more ready to arrange the kids to receive assessment.”

CityUHK has always actively engaged in research that has an impact on science, technology and society. As these initiatives targeting SEN assessment continue to advance, CityUHK is creating a more inclusive social environment and building a brighter future for Hong Kong’s next generation.

CityUHK has been committed to transforming research excellence into real world applications that benefit society. The “CityUHK Research for the Future” series showcases the University’s prominent research projects over the years and how they contribute to building a sustainable, inclusive, and innovative future.