Standing ramrod straight during assembly, pupils at Catiline Kindergarten in Whampoa recite verses from the Three Character Classic, the 13th century children's guide attributed to Confucian scholar Wang Yinglin. It's par for the course at Catiline, where Confucius' teachings are fundamental to its approach to education.
Executive officer Tsui Mei-ling, whose five-year-old daughter Yu-yan attends Catiline, reckons the teachings of the ancient Chinese philosopher provide an antidote to the pervasive culture of materialism and individual wants that Hong Kong children are exposed to every day.
'All the online entertainment and popular culture have watered down the traditional Chinese virtues I admire,' she says. 'Children get everything so easily, they don't learn to be thankful for what they have. Veneration towards elders is also disappearing. I don't want my child to become a brat so typical among local kids now.'
Tsui has noticed a remarkable change in Yu-yan since joining Catiline. There are fewer temper tantrums, and she is better behaved.
'Before, she was quite spoilt and gave up easily in the face of difficulties,' she says. 'Now, when I ask her to do something, she responds quickly, reciting the precept against tardy replies to parents' requests. When dancing, she stretches herself to the hilt. She grits her teeth and reminds herself about the verses of perseverance and living up to one's potential.'
Once derided as feudal and draconian, the teachings of Confucius are not only gaining interest on the mainland, but are also enjoying a revival in Hong Kong, where the classic texts are being incorporated into the curriculum. This year, seven kindergartens under the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, as well as 11 primary schools with Buddhist and Taoist affiliations introduced classics such as the Qing dynasty text Dizi Gui (Standards for Being a Good Pupil and Child) and The Doctrine of the Mean.
