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No model answers for liberal studies

Liberal studies is one of the core subjects under the reformed education system. It is aimed at developing students' critical thinking skills through in-depth analysis of various issues.

But some students have rushed to join tutorial schools which provide model answers for liberal studies. It seems they have not grasped the true essence of this important subject.

We should not simply copy the model answers because different questions require different solutions. We need to generate more ideas if we are to do well in liberal studies.

Many educators have criticised Hong Kong students' learning methods. They say local students are not competitive when compared to foreign pupils.

Students should not rely on model answers. They should read the newspaper and exchange ideas with their friends - rote learning won't help in liberal studies.

Lau Hiu-yan, Hang Seng School of Commerce

From the Editor

Thank you for your letter, Hiu-yan. You're quite right when you say 'model answers' are not the solution to liberal studies. The whole point of the education reforms was to allow Hong Kong students the freedom to explore critical thinking. For some people, freedom is a scary prospect and it is hard to break ingrained habits of rote learning. It might take some time, but eventually students will realise that these answers cannot be learned by heart.

Susan, Editor

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