special educational needs

Special educational needs (SEN) refer to children who require additional support to learn or access education due to learning difficulties, disabilities, or health conditions. Recent news highlights the challenges faced by these children and their families. In Hong Kong, a significant portion of families living in subdivided flats, many with children identified as having SEN, are experiencing high rates of anxiety and depression, underscoring the need for enhanced social and counselling services. Meanwhile, in England, school leaders express concern that an "attainment at all costs" policy, prioritizing exam results, could undermine reforms aimed at improving SEN provision and supporting inclusive education. These developments indicate that while efforts are being made to reform and support SEN students, systemic pressures and socioeconomic factors continue to pose significant obstacles to their educational and emotional well-being, making the topic highly relevant in discussions about educational equity and child welfare.