Nearly 70 Percent of Hong Kong Students Report Stress From Excessive School Assessments, Survey Finds

Primary School Assessment Pressure Crushes Hong Kong Students

Around 66 percent of upper primary students in Hong Kong experience stress driven by excessive school assessments and testing, according to a joint survey released on August 20, 2026, by Caritas Hong Kong and Chinese University of Hong Kong researcher Moon Law. The study surveyed 5,200 pupils in Primary Four to Six between October and January last year, highlighting mental health strains.

The figures expose a psychological burden on young children. Beyond immediate testing fatigue, the study reveals that close to 60 percent of the interviewed pupils feel “worried about an uncertain future.”

Focus Groups Reveal Coping Mechanisms and Burnout

Researchers conducted 40 focus groups with students, teachers, and parents following the initial questionnaire phase. Interviewees noted that heavy school demands diminish their capacity to navigate everyday uncertainties outside the classroom. To cope with stress, many children tried to lower expectations to avoid disappointment.

Researchers Call for Structural Shift Over Superficial Fixes

Moon Law of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Social Work Department addressed reporters at a press conference on August 20, 2026, explaining that students tended to hide their anxieties and did not share their feelings with others. Law emphasized that the remedy goes beyond merely advising kids to relax, nor does it rely on external substitutes like extra lessons or gifts. Rather, adults and society must reevaluate their standards and refrain from burdening youth with oversized ambitions.

Youth Empowerment and Decision-Making Strategies

Caritas Hong Kong issued a Chinese-language news statement advocating for youth empowerment strategies. The agency recommended giving minors more chances to exercise autonomy, which in turn fosters deeper optimism. When children believe they have the agency to shape their own futures and improve their satisfaction with life, their sense of hope is boosted, fostering the resilience needed to face adversity and challenges.