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Statistics from The Legislative Council revealed 67,269 students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in Hong Kong for the 2021/22 academic year. In public sector schools, the proportion of SEN students increased from 4.4% in 2011/12 to 11.0%[1]. This rise raises issues about the investment and allocation of educational resources.
Snaildy Education (“Snaildy”), founded in 2019 by Patrick Lau, emerged from his experience as the sole school social worker in a secondary school. His administrative tasks often overshadowed students’ needs.
The Snaildy SEN School Management System, developed by Patrick and his university junior, Rex Law, aims to improve the working environment. This technology streamlines administrative tasks, allowing SEN teachers to efficiently manage student information and data. The solution has been praised by schools and teachers for enhancing collaboration and support systems for students.
Beyond technology, Snaildy offers on-campus services including therapeutic activities, group training, parent seminars, and workshops. These are conducted by facilitators with at least three years of experience with SEN individuals. In the 2022/23 academic year, Snaildy reached over 80 schools and served over 4,000 students with diverse activities, from language and cognition skills to public speaking and career planning. These services have been well-received by educators and parents.
Snaildy is driven by the powerful stories of individuals like “Snail Boy” Chan Tsz Kin, diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and confined to a wheelchair. Despite a life expectancy of 18 years, Tsz Kin remains optimistic, becoming a YouTuber and attempting paragliding. Snaildy hopes to spread such stories to foster broader discussions and attention. Tsz Kin previously received the Familations Charity Foundation Scholarship for SEN Students, which affirms his worth.
Parents of SEN children face significant pressures and must be attentive to avoid accidents. Patrick has observed families’ resilience, supported by teachers and social workers. He remarked, “The most challenging role in the SEN community is that of the caregiver.”
On a broader scale, the government plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable groups. Patrick notes that while inclusive education is a noble concept, the rising number of SEN students and teacher attrition highlight the need for actionable measures to optimize the environment.
After graduation, SEN students face employment challenges. The Census and Statistics Department reported over 10,000 unemployed disabled individuals aged 15 or above in Hong Kong, with an unemployment rate of 11%[2]. Establishing targets is challenging due to individual variances, and many companies are hesitant due to development costs. Patrick lamented the difficulties faced by marginalised groups in achieving self-reliance and the idealism of inclusion.
Creating an inclusive society requires diverse participation. Patrick aims to use Snaildy’s services to raise awareness for SEN students and support parents. Rex envisions collaborating with like-minded partners to explore social value in business.
Howard Ling, a member of the advisory team for Social Impact Partner (SIP) and a board member in several schools, has recommended Snaildy as a viable investment for SIP. Howard hopes Snaildy’s information security standards will become a model in academia and beyond. “Inclusive education forms the foundation for community cohesion, and SEN communities’ social needs should not be overshadowed by administrative workloads. I hope Snaildy’s influence extends globally,” he said.
SIP places equal importance on diverse social issues, recognising social investment as a means for life to impact life. With the growing number of SEN students in Hong Kong, it is essential to leverage effective resources to enhance work efficiency, and Snaildy has proposed a proven solution. SIP firmly believes that addressing social issues will infuse businesses with greater vitality and opportunities for sustainable development. By making inclusion an unspoken consensus, society will ultimately respond in kind.
