Debate continues in Hong Kong over introduction of national education
One year after the government shelved compulsory national education, debate is still raging about how the subject can be taught
For many Hongkongers, the words "national education" bring to mind scenes of mass protest outside government headquarters. Ask a pupil at Fresh Fish Traders' School, however, and the word that springs to mind may well be: hats.
Lessons take the form of a discussion among groups of four pupils, each of whom wears a different-coloured hat. The child in a white hat speaks on the facts of an issue, the red hat is all about feelings, the yellow is for the positive side and the black hat is for the negative.
In a Primary Six class, the children discuss the influx into local schools of Hong Kong-born children living with their mainland parents across the border.
"They've come and taken away our school places," one boy sporting a black hat observes. "I'm afraid schools won't be able to hire enough teachers, and we'll all receive bad education."
"They'll receive better education in Hong Kong," a girl in yellow says with a giggle. "And Hong Kong will have more talents in the future."
The children are not graded, nor chastised for saying seemingly silly things. The classroom is filled with opinions and laughter.