My Take | Our students must learn about city’s constitutional set-up
The Basic Law is not some abstract idea; it rules our lives. Yet, our education officials are frightened to introduce the topic in schools
Five years after the idea of introducing national and moral education was put on the back burner, young pupils can now openly discuss Hong Kong’s secession from the rest of China in school. Ironically, education officials are afraid even to introduce a new history curriculum on the Basic Law and “one country, two systems” principle. So much for brainwashing.
Localist groups have been formed at some 56 schools – about 10 per cent of more than 500 secondary schools in Hong Kong. Many openly advocate drawing “a firm divide” between Hong Kong and the mainland or affirming the city’s as a distinct entity.
Education minister Eddie Ng Hak-kim may talk tough about cracking down on advocacy of independence on campus, but officials can do nothing as the pupils claim to be merely forming “discussion” groups.
If ever there is a time to educate our children about the fantasyland of radical localism and secessionism, it is now. And no, we are not talking about “brainwashing” pupils by making them swear allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party or sing the national anthem every day.
It’s about teaching the constitutional set-up of Hong Kong based on the Basic Law and “one country, two system” principle, and their historical context.