The head of a community college says he expects a further decline of up to 5 percent in the number of students sitting Hong Kong's main secondary school leaving exam. Professor LS Chan from HKU Space Community College was commenting ahead of the release of results for the Diploma of Secondary Education on Wednesday.

Professor Chan told RTHK this percentage was similar to previous years. But a declining birth rate and the emigration of many students meant a shrinking number of candidates.

"It's likely we will be seeing another 3 to 5 percent decline. And it's not certain you know because I think the wave of emigration has yet to peak. Because of the pandemic, a lot of people are waiting and seeing," he said.