HONG KONG (SE): “Dear candidates, the release of the DSE [Diploma of Secondary Education] results is a sign that you are about to embark on a new journey in your life. Everyone’s God-designed journey is unique. Even if there are bumps and bruises along the way, it has its value and the necessary steps,” said Cardinal Stephen Chow S.J., in a video uploaded to Catholic Way, the online platform of the Diocesan Audio Visual Centre [DAVC], a few days before the results were announced.
The 2024 Hong Kong DSE (HKDSE) exam results were announced on July 17, prompting youth organisations, parishes, and members of the Church to express genuine concern about the welfare of Hong Kong’s youth and a dedication to providing them with the necessary resources and assistance.
Cardinal Stephen encouraged the students not to focus on the trials of the present but to look confidently to the future. “Ten or eight years from now, when you look back, you will smile at the person you are today. At least you will feel that it is not a big deal. So don’t be afraid; face the ups and downs of the road ahead. You will definitely have a colourful future!” he said.
On the day the exam results were announced, Cardinal Stephen, in another video message, called the candidates “fighters for life”, no matter what their exam results were. “In the future, when you look at the present, will anyone ask you about your public examination results? No, it’s about who you are and what you can do. Believe in yourself, believe in God and believe in all the talents that God has given you; God bless you,” he said.
Dear candidates, the release of the DSE [Diploma of Secondary Education] results is a sign that you are about to embark on a new journey in your life
Cardinal Stephen
Beginning on July 8, Catholic Way posted a series of videos featuring priests and nuns sharing their feelings upon the release of their own public exam results and offering encouragement to the students.
Speakers in the videos included Father Aloysius Mak, Sister Anna Marie Cheung of the Sisters of St Paul de Chartres, Precious Blood Sister Selina Leung and others.
In addition, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Wan Chai organised various activities to support DSE students. The parish arranged a showing of the documentary “Once Upon a Time in HKDSE” on July 14. The documentary depicted the story of a student who, with the assistance of a team of experienced tutors, overcame personal challenges during the eight months preceding the public exam. The film emphasised that exams evaluate a student’s ability to perform under pressure and within a limited time frame, but do not genuinely reflect an individual’s real abilities or potential.
Two sharing sessions are also planned for DSE students and young people to discuss their situations. A group of students is set to share their experiences of overcoming the challenges of studying abroad in recent years, including practical aspects such as school selection, visa acquisition, and financial management, on July 24.
On August 7, which coincides with the day DSE students receive their Joint University Programmes Admissions System [JUPAS] results, there will be a chance for students to express their anxieties and concerns in another session. Additionally, current students at local universities or tertiary institutions will share their insights and experiences.
Ten or eight years from now, when you look back, you will smile at the person you are today. At least you will feel that it is not a big deal. So don’t be afraid; face the ups and downs of the road ahead. You will definitely have a colourful future!
Cardinal Stephen
Father Thomas Law Kwok-fai, the parish priest, said the sessions were designed to give them practical peer support and advice from experienced people who have walked similar paths.
“What our Church should be doing today is not just to organise prayer meetings and concerts for these young people …., but let’s face their situations together now and see how we can accompany them,” Father Law said, stressing the importance of self-discovery and following one’s passions when choosing a course of study, and urging young people to follow their own paths even if they differ from conventional expectations.
The priest encouraged parents to understand the pressures their children face, maintain open communication, and offer appropriate guidance and support without imposing their own expectations on their children. The sharing sessions also allow parents to quietly listen in an adjoining room.
Nineteen-year-old Anthony Wong Yan-long is part of a group of young people from the parish who are organising the sessions. He hopes that the events will not only be information sessions but also opportunities for young people to connect and create a supportive community where individuals can learn from each other.
What our Church should be doing today is not just to organise prayer meetings and concerts for these young people …., but let’s face their situations together now and see how we can accompany them
Father Thomas Law
Wong believes that students who don’t get into university are not “inferior”; he thinks they simply haven’t met the current standards of the education system. He is critical of the current system for placing too much emphasis on exams, which unfairly disadvantages those who are hindered by external factors such as health or learning styles. Wong encourages younger students not to lose sight of their goals.
Caritas Youth and Community Service posted a reminder on its Facebook page on July 16 to help parents be aware of students’ emotions following the release of exam results. These emotions could include tiredness, anxiety about future studies, and sadness due to unsatisfactory results. The organisation urged parents to acknowledge their children’s efforts and hard work in preparing for the exams. Additionally, parents were reminded to accompany their children in activities they enjoy to help them relieve stress.
The Diocesan Youth Commission encouraged young people to address their emotions before making decisions about further studies and to remember that God is with them.
