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SCMP Reporter

I am delighted that efforts are being made to incorporate  teaching of traditional Chinese ethics and religion into the secondary school curriculum. 
In the current curriculum, students in Form Six and Seven study Chinese language and culture.  
A  syllabus aimed at junior secondary students,  which is centred on traditional Chinese religions and ethics such as Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, will enable students to get the information in these areas at an earlier stage. They will not need to wait until they reach the senior forms.  
It is essential that pupils receive ethics education at an earlier stage of their schooling.  
This can help them learn the importance of values such as righteousness and filial piety.  
The teaching of such values is not normally included in the school curriculum.  Instead the emphasis is on  rote learning and examinations.  
This kind of teaching stifles  students' ability to think critically and creatively, which is why we need an  overhaul of ethics education.  
Injecting traditional Chinese ethics and religions into the secondary school curriculum will encourage young people to  learn about their own culture. It will enable them to  develop a new way of thinking, as ancient Chinese religious scriptures and philosophies could instil positive values and morality in students.
This can help to counter the dominance of Western values, which have spread with globalisation.  
I am not advocating a replacement of Western values, but Chinese ethics teaching can be added and young people can learn more about their roots.  
Individuals are part of the global community. Therefore, it is more important than ever that they should have an understanding of their origins.  
There must be major changes to the education system in Hong Kong, which spoon-feeds students.  
Some may argue that traditional values are old-fashioned and out of step with  modern social mores. But  in spite of all the technological  advances in society, ethics and values will always be relevant.   
Cheng Hoi-wah, Tsz Wan Shan



Traditional Chinese ethics are still relevant in modern world