Introduction
Issues like last year's deadly inferno on Fa Yuen Street, mainland mothers putting stress on local maternity services and ambiguous grading for liberal studies have led to most teenagers feeling that the current government has let them down. That's the findings of a recent survey conducted by the Hong Kong Institute of Education and Roundtable.
The public wants Hong Kong's next leader to address the most pressing, deeply-rooted problems in society. Yet both front runners in the upcoming chief executive election - Leung Chun-ying and Henry Tang Ying-yen - are embroiled in scandals that have raised serious doubts about their credibility and competence.
Although most teenagers will not have a say in this election, their voices should not be ignored. Here Young Post summarises student polls conducted by several organisations last month. We also asked our junior reporters about the qualities they look for in a chief executive and the four social issues they want the next administration to tackle.
Education
More than half of teenagers think the frequent education reforms are confusing, according to a survey carried out by the Caritas Kowloon Community Centre last year. Students worry whether they can succeed in subjects like liberal studies and art in the new Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) which has a broad syllabus, vague guidelines and an inconsistent grading scheme. Intense exam revision and strenuous school-based assessments have increased students' heavy workload.
Implementation of the controversial national education subject and a shortage of international school places adds to the list of flaws in the education system.