The ombudsman has called on the Education Bureau to step up monitoring of boarding sections of schools for children with intellectual disabilities.

At a press conference on Thursday, Winnie Chiu said the bureau needs to do more to ensure the well-being of some 700 students who are living in the dormitories of 17 special schools across the city.

In a recent direct investigation, her office found that bureau staff seldom go to the dormitories when they visit special schools.

Chiu said some facilities hadn't been checked in three years, while others were inspected up to three times in one year.

"[The Education Bureau] explained that the variation in terms of the frequency of visits has to do with the purposes of each of the visits. Sometimes it's to do with the related complaints or the development of the school, that's why some schools have more visits by [Education Bureau] officers, where others do not," she said.

"But on the whole the inspection of the boarding sections of special schools are not a mandatory requirement in the visits of the EDB officers."

Chiu said officers should conduct inspections more frequently, and stop notifying schools in advance of a visit.

The ombudsman added the bureau should require that surveillance cameras be installed in dormitories, with the footage recorded and checked from time to time.

She also called on the bureau to provide clearer guidelines on the daily operation of these facilities, including those relating to the use of physical restraints and seclusion.

Chiu said a deadline should be set for the schools to submit reports on any serious accidents happening in the dormitories, noting that one school only reported an incident three years after it happened.

The ombudsman stressed that her office is not questioning the operation of any dormitories or the integrity of staff members.

"We do not doubt the devotion of those who take care of the children with intellectual disabilities in boarding sections, and we understand the hardships involved. However, given the special circumstances of the boarders with intellectual disabilities, the service nature and arrangements at the boarding sections are completely different from those at other schools," she said.

"While the sector in general has exercised self-discipline, it does not mean that the authorities can make light of their monitoring responsibilities."

Chiu said the bureau has generally accepted their recommendations.

In a statement, the EDB said it will carefully examine and actively follow up on the report's practicable recommendations.

The bureau noted it was preparing to set up a working group to review a practice guide for special schools on planning and managing boarding service. It said this would provide more detailed and clear guidelines.
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Last updated: 2023-04-27 HKT 20:50