By Charley Ho
Kwan Kam has devoted his lifetime to empower students with disabilities.
Educator Kwan Kam has devoted his love and care to teaching children and shaping lives of children with disabilities for over 30 years.
The former vice principal of Elaine Field School, now in his 70s, is still teaching. “I still tutor primary school kids in Tin Shui Wai as a part-timer. It makes me happy,” he shares.
Before joining the school for physically challenged children, Kwan already had a decade of teaching experience in various schools, including private and secondary schools.
Elaine Field School, founded in 1973 as the Sau Mau Ping Training Centre, became a registered institution in 1979 and relocated to a larger campus in Tai Po. It is now known as The Spastics Association of Hong Kong Jockey Club Elaine Field School.
“Our school admits students with physical disabilities – those in wheelchairs, suffering from serious burns, or experiencing seizures. We don’t admit students with only intellectual disabilities,” he says.
“Back when I was still teaching in Sau Mau Ping, our school only offered classes for students up till Form Three. The school later expanded to teaching under the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination and the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination curriculum afterwards,” he says.
“The school was small back then, with around 10 students per class and only five classes in total. We had six to seven teachers and mixed classes that grouped students based on learning abilities. Professionals like physical therapists, occupational therapists, and teaching assistants worked with us to support the students,” Kwan recalls.
“For example, during physical education (PE) lessons, the physical therapist led stretching exercises and trained their coordination skills. The students enjoyed these lessons,” he adds.
Kwan has formed many lifelong friendships with his students. One of them is Nikita Tam, who was born with brittle bone disease.
Kwan describes Tam as an outgoing person now but remembers how quiet she was when she first joined the class. “I was Tam’s class teacher and I taught her Chinese, Mathematics and PE. She didn’t say a word when she first joined my class,” he recalls.
“Once, we all gathered to play a game in which we passed around school bags. She suddenly burst into tears. Later, I learned that she cherished her school bag so much that she didn’t like it being passed around. At the time, I had no idea,” he says with a laugh.
“Tam is a resilient person. She can travel in Europe on her own, carrying luggage with a tiny body. It is worth learning from her,” he adds.
Kwan describes his teaching style as more flexible than the conventional approach.
“I’m more free and relaxed. I’d arrange time for students without specific educational goals – just chatting, having fun, and engaging in free activities. The students were already tired from schoolwork. If we held strict educational goals, it would scare them away,” he explains.
Kwan stresses a positive mindset is a must to have. “Teaching in this environment is never easy, and having a solution-based mindset is the key,” the veteran teacher says.
“The school’s sewage system once broke, and we had to evacuate from the school. We hopped on a coach and brought everyone to a country park. Unlike now, when parents’ consent is required for outings, and teachers are held accountable for any incidents,” he adds.
Apart from sudden outings and games, the devoted educator recalls how the school introduced Apple II computers to students in the 1980s in hope of equipping students with skills needed in the labour market.
“Back then, computerisation hadn’t even been introduced by the Education Bureau. We taught students the Cangjie input method for communication. Not many people knew how to use it, but my students did. Some even found typing jobs in factories afterward,” he explains.
Kwan also shares a fully paralysed student who wrote a computer programme spanning dozens of pages.
“He couldn’t type letters due to his condition, but he used his head and a scanning device to input the text. His logical thinking and determination were remarkable,” the proud teacher recalls.
Despite his devotion and commitment to teaching, handling students with disabilities was not without emotional challenges.
“There are times when you can’t help the students and feel defeated. Some of the weaker ones may not live past 10 or 11 years old. We focus on bringing happiness into their lives and never assume we know their fears,” Kwan adds.
“It is important to establish trusted relationships with the students. Even if they perform poorly, I always compliment them instead of scolding them,” he says.
Giving up is never an option for Kwan. “You simply cannot just give up. You still have to make a living and do what you think is right,” he stresses.
Kwan shares that he applies the same teaching to his own son. “I treat my son professionally, just as I do with my students at school. It’s unprofessional to get angry when children can’t meet your expectations,” he says.
Sub-edited by Jen Lam
