DSE app glitches didn't affect candidates: minister

The glitches in an app, designed to check the attendance records of students sitting the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams, have not affected the candidates, education minister Christine Choi said on Saturday. Her comments came a day after exam officials decided to drop the "i-Invigilation" app after it failed to work properly on Thursday and Friday ahead of Chinese and English language papers. "In the past few days, I've noticed that this digital attendance system hasn't affected students' exams. I want to assure students that regardless of how your attendance is marked, it won't impact your exams. So, there's no need to be nervous. Just relax. It's okay to mark attendance manually too," she said. The minister also brushed aside concerns that overseas institutions no longer recognise the DSE exams after Liberal Studies was replaced by the new Citizenship and Social Development subject. "I believe the statement is somewhat misleading. No university has said that they don't recognise the DSE exams. The problem is that some universities may be slow to update their websites. However, after the Examinations and Assessment Authority contacted them, all have updated." Separately, the minister said a new mental health charter launched by the Education Bureau on Friday will help address the plight of students struggling with their mental health. Choi said she hoped schools would participate in the charter and review their policies on exams and homework. Authorities revealed earlier that 32 pupils committed suicide last year, sparking concerns about youth mental health.