Textbooks 'cheerlead' for nuclear power
Textbooks used in most primary schools present a biased, sometimes misleading view of nuclear energy, the Hong Kong Alliance Against Nukes says. Textbooks produced by three major publishers do not give students a full picture of the downside of nuclear power.
Textbooks used in most primary schools present a biased, sometimes misleading view of nuclear energy, the Hong Kong Alliance Against Nukes says.
The alliance, whose members include lawmakers, social campaigners and pressure groups, says textbooks produced by three major publishers do not give students a full picture of the downside of nuclear power.
"The content in these textbooks, which students are taught as model answers, in fact misleads students into believing that Hong Kong will come to a halt if we stop importing nuclear energy from the mainland that is well in excess of our energy needs," alliance member Yuen Che-hung said.
One example cited is a section in a Primary Three general studies textbook put out by the Educational Publishing House. It contrasts life today with a time when there was no air conditioning or lighting, to illustrate how electricity and appliances have made life more comfortable.
"Many Hongkongers often immediately jump to the other extreme, and think we are asking them to switch to life in the Stone Age," teacher and alliance member Ip Chu-ching said.
"This over-simplification when it comes to energy conservation may at least in part be instilled by these textbooks."
The alliance also says the textbooks are biased because they are based on information and figures from the two companies that monopolise the city's power supply.
"Energy conservation is presented as being only possible at the household level, while failing to mention that no significant change will happen if big corporations continue to consume power the way they do now," said Dr Chan Sze-chi, from Baptist University.
"These dumbed-down textbooks will only teach our students to be docile subjects who never question authority."
The alliance says textbooks should state the risks that stem from the comforts technology brings. In the long run, the group wants the books replaced by electronic teaching materials that allow for public input, similar to the Wikipedia model but with greater supervision.
The alliance will be seeking a meeting with the Education Bureau's textbook review panel to discuss the issue.
