She had just one year after arriving in the city before taking her GCSE Chinese exam to waive taking a DSE one further down the line.

Non-Chinese speaking students are allowed to sit the paper if they have learned a standardised form of the language for less than six years at primary and secondary levels.

Singculan said she would use spare time during commutes, school breaks and just before bedtime to memorise Chinese characters using home-made flashcards. She also scribbled them over and over again while at school.

But her hard work paid off and netted her a Grade 9 for the subject, the highest qualification and equivalent to a DSE perfect 5**.

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Is Hong Kong’s education system failing non-ethnic Chinese children?

Is Hong Kong’s education system failing non-ethnic Chinese children?

Canadian-born Indian classmate Avneek Kaur Brar, who also came away with a Grade 9 score when she sat Chinese at a GCSE level along Singculan, earned 24 marks in her best five subjects during this year’s DSE exams.

The 18-year-old said she hoped to study science at one of the city’s universities so she could become a dentist, adding that many students from ethnic minority groups had been pigeonholed as domestic workers or couriers.

Singculan said her family had also faced discrimination in the past and she hoped her hard work could help silence any doubters.

“I don’t experience discrimination, but my mum does. There was one time she’s having an interview. She was in a waiting area, and then a British person approached her and was like: ‘Oh, Filipinos can also be teachers?’” she said. “I want to have a high achievement so I can make my family proud and offer better living conditions.”

‘Everything in Chinese’: Hong Kong’s ethnic minority students hit a wall

This year’s DSE candidates also included 3,898 youngsters with special educational needs (SEN), 14 of whom are from two special schools run by the Hong Kong Red Cross.

Hong Kong Red Cross John F Kennedy Centre student Yang Letian, 21, came away with 18 points for his best five subjects and said he wanted to attend City University’s business school to pave the way for a digital marketing career.

Yang, who was diagnosed with genetic disorder Duchenne muscular dystrophy at nine years old, uses an electric wheelchair to get around and must attend regular check-ups at hospital.

“I get tired very easily, and also write slower than other people,” Yang, who qualifies for 75 per cent extra time for his exams, said.

He admitted the additional problems he faced often left him stressed during his revision. But he said he always responded to doubts by reminding himself to try his best.

“I always tell myself that because of my physical condition, it might be difficult to find employment and get ahead in the future if I don’t study hard,” Yang said. “That is why I must hold on.”

Some students at the Hong Kong Red Cross Princess Alexandra School also got a chance to study at a university level through their athletic talent.

Chow Long-ho, 19, got an offer for Lingnan University’s cultural studies course through the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme.

Chow, a representative for the city’s wheelchair fencing team, said he had never thought his sports career would help him land a place at university.

“The scheme will inspire other Hong Kong student athletes as well,” he said.

He added that he hoped the city would also support other students in fields such as art and music without emphasising their exam results.

Hong Kong teens with special needs team with artists to unleash creativity

Yuen Wing-ki, 19, also earned a place at Lingnan University under the scheme and said she would study animation and digital art instead of pursuing her para-table tennis career.

“I want to prove that Hong Kong can have its own animation field as well,” Yuen said.

She also encouraged other young people with outstanding athletic ability to develop interests outside sport.

“We have to be well-rounded,” she explained.