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Hong Kong student battles neurodegenerative disease to clear DSE exams hurdle

  • Ching Chun-ho, who required almost double the time to finish each paper, scores 18 marks for six subjects
  • Two other students, Chen Pei-yan and Sylvia Zhou Ya-lin, overcome setbacks with help and guidance from their teachers

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Ching Chun-ho holds up his Diploma of Secondary Education results at the John F Kennedy Centre. He scored 18 marks for six subjects. Photo: Edmond So

While most of the nearly 50,000 candidates of Hong Kong’s university entrance exams finish off their papers within just a few hours, Ching Chun-ho needs almost twice as long.

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The 20-year-old student from Hong Kong Red Cross John F Kennedy Centre – a special education school for pupils with physical disabilities – was diagnosed aged two with neurodegenerative disease, which weakens his control over speech and movement.

Ching was allowed to take the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exam on the computer because of his difficulties controlling the pen. He was also granted 75 per cent extra time to finish each paper.
Ching Chun-ho with his parents Yeung kwai-heung and Michael Ching. Photo: Edmond So
Ching Chun-ho with his parents Yeung kwai-heung and Michael Ching. Photo: Edmond So

When he received his DSE results on Wednesday, his parents and teachers were proud of his achievement – 18 marks for six subjects.

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The exam is scored on a scale of seven levels. The highest mark is 5**, while the lowest is level 1, with an extra point with each rising grade.

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