Reporting Mechanism for Absentees in Kindergartens

Points to Note

• For students’ absence for seven consecutive school days without reasons or under doubtful circumstances, kindergartens should complete the “Report Form of Student Absentee in Kindergarten” (i.e. Appendix 1 of EDB Circular No. 19/2025 “Reporting Mechanism for Absentees in Kindergartens”) to report to EDB on the 7th day of the student’s absence.  The school is required to report the progress of follow-up by completing Appendix 2 of the above-mentioned Circular in seven working days after submission of the Report Form.
• If children show signs of abuse / maltreatment, e.g. poor growth, feeling fatigued easily, unstable emotion, abnormal behaviour, etc. (please refer to the possible indicators of child maltreatment in Chapter 4 of the “Protecting Children from Maltreatment – Procedural Guide for Multi-disciplinary Co-operation”(“Child Protection Guide”) issued by the Social Welfare Department (SWD)), kindergartens should refer to EDB Circular No. 15/2025 “Handling Suspected Cases of Child Abuse / Maltreatment and Domestic Violence” to take immediate action in accordance with the “Child Protection Guide” or to seek assistance from the Family and Child Protective Services Units of SWD.  Schools should promptly take appropriate actions and comply with the relevant legislation, including the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance, and make references to documents such as the “Child Protection Guide”, “Guide for Mandated Reporters” and EDB Circular No. 15/2025 when handling such cases, irrespective of whether the student is attending school as usual, absent from school continuously or intermittently.

Relevant Information

• Education Bureau Circular No. 19/2025 - Reporting Mechanism for Absentees in Kindergartens 
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• Flow Diagram of the Reporting Mechanism for Student Absentees in Kindergartens 
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• Education Bureau Circular No. 15/2025 - Handling Suspected Cases of Child Abuse/Maltreatment and Domestic Violence  
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• Kindergarten Administration Guide
 
• Operation Manual for Pre-Primary Institutions 
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