Travel broadens students’ horizons

May 3, 2026

Enriching experience:

Hong Kong Red Cross John F. Kennedy Centre student Sharon Lau says joining the one-day tour helped her understand how Shenzhen integrates technological advancement with its historical roots.

Erasing preconceptions:

Hong Kong Red Cross John F. Kennedy Centre student Gary Shum says he discovered Shenzhen is convenient for wheelchair users and a city that combines cultural heritage with modern creativity.

Close co-ordination:

Hong Kong Red Cross John F. Kennedy Centre Citizenship & Social Development Subject Panel Head Mak Chi-wai explains that preparation is of paramount importance when organising the tours to meet each student’s physical and emotional requirements.

No limits:

Hong Kong Red Cross John F. Kennedy Centre Principal Levian Lee believes that learning knows no boundaries and that every student deserves a meaningful learning experience.

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Voiceover:

Sharon and Gary, both Secondary 5 students, participated in a one-day study tour to the Chinese Mainland last academic year as part of their Citizenship & Social Development subject. The tour included visits to the Nanshan Museum and Nantou Ancient City in Shenzhen.

Hong Kong Red Cross John F. Kennedy Centre student Sharon Lau (Translation):

Although our class is not that large, each student has different needs. As the Chinese saying goes: “It is better to travel 10,000 miles than to read 10,000 books”, experiencing it firsthand is always more engaging than studying from textbooks. The trip to Shenzhen helped me understand the integration of technological development with history in the city.

Hong Kong Red Cross John F. Kennedy Centre student Gary Shum (Translation):

Initially, I was hesitant to visit Shenzhen, believing it lacked barrier-free facilities and was merely a commercial city filled with skyscrapers and shopping malls. However, after the trip, I discovered that it is quite convenient for wheelchair users and boasts a broad historical and cultural heritage, blending modern creativity with its rich past.

Voiceover:

The school has continued to organise a study tour this academic year for students to Zhuhai to learn about aviation technology development on the Mainland. The teacher leading the tour believes that a one-day tour is ideal for the students as it can enhance learning focus and better address student needs.

Hong Kong Red Cross John F. Kennedy Centre Citizenship & Social Development Subject Panel Head Mak Chi-wai:

For our students, preparation is very important. First of all, we hold meetings with different departments in school. We discuss each student's learning, physical and emotional needs. Secondly, we work closely with the Education Bureau (EDB), parents and the travel agency. Finally, we draft our own school-based worksheet that matches our students' needs.

Voiceover:

The school will continue to offer these study tours as the benefits outweigh the logistical challenges.

Hong Kong Red Cross John F. Kennedy Centre Principal Levian Lee:

We truly believe that learning has no boundaries. Every student deserves a complete and meaningful learning experience. That is why we go the extra mile. With the co-ordination between our school, the EDB and the Mainland departments, we plan together to ensure a smooth journey. Our students gain first-hand experience about our country's development which cannot be found in textbooks. We hope our students can know that the path they can walk is much wider.

Voiceover:

Participation in the Mainland tour for the Citizenship & Social Development course by special schools is increasing. In the 2025-26 academic year, 44 special schools participated, representing a nearly 70% increase from 26 in the previous academic year. To accommodate special school students, the Education Bureau offers seven itineraries for schools to consider, with specific arrangements adjustable as needed.

Participation in Mainland study tours among special schools has skyrocketed this academic year, with the number of participating institutions rising nearly 70%. Data revealed that 44 special schools joined the programme for the 2025-26 academic year, up from 26 in the previous year.

The tours are a major component of the Citizenship & Social Development curriculum, a core subject for senior secondary students. To accommodate special school students, the Education Bureau offers seven itineraries for schools to consider, with specific arrangements adjustable as needed.

Breaking barriers

Sharon Lau and Gary Shum, Secondary 5 students at the Hong Kong Red Cross John F. Kennedy Centre, joined a one-day excursion to Shenzhen last academic year. Alongside five classmates, they explored the Nanshan Museum and Nantou Ancient City.

For Sharon, the trip was a revelation in the latest development of Shenzhen. “The trip helped me understand how Shenzhen integrates technological advancement with its historical roots.”

She added that the journey brought her studies to life: “As the saying goes, 'It is better to travel 10,000 miles than to read 10,000 books.' Experiencing it firsthand is far more engaging than reading textbooks.”

Her classmate Gary admitted he was initially skeptical. “I thought Shenzhen was just a commercial city of skyscrapers that lacked barrier-free facilities,” he said. “I discovered it is actually quite convenient for wheelchair users and boasts a rich cultural heritage that blends modern creativity with the past.”

Meticulous planning

The school has maintained its momentum this year with a trip to Zhuhai focused on aviation technology. Mak Chi-wai, the subject’s Panel Head, believes the one-day format is ideal for maintaining student focus while addressing physical needs.

“Preparation is very important,” Mr Mak explained. “We hold internal meetings across departments to discuss every student’s physical and emotional requirements. We also work in close co-ordination with the Education Bureau, parents and travel agencies. And we need to draft school-based worksheets tailored to our pupils.”

No boundaries

Despite the logistical hurdles of transporting students with complex needs, the school’s principal Levian Lee remains steadfast in the programme's value.

“We truly believe that learning has no boundaries,” Miss Lee emphasised. “Every student deserves a meaningful learning experience, which is why we go the extra mile. Through co-ordination with the Education Bureau and the Mainland departments, we ensure a smooth journey that offers firsthand insights into our country’s development.”

“We want our students to realise that the path they can walk is much wider than they imagine,” she added.