Latest from Kerry Kennedy
Recent weeks have highlighted the power of democratic institutions. New district council members must be ambassadors of democracy in action while pro-democracy parties should draft policies that show they can be more than an opposition force.
Recent weeks have highlighted the power of democratic institutions. New district council members must be ambassadors of democracy in action while pro-democracy parties should draft policies that show they can be more than an opposition force.
Violence on either side should not obscure the valid public concerns that continue to fuel huge protest turnouts. An unequal society is at the root of it all, and it is high time peaceful protesters and an amenable government came to the table.
Violence on either side should not obscure the valid public concerns that continue to fuel huge protest turnouts. An unequal society is at the root of it all, and it is high time peaceful protesters and an amenable government came to the table.
Having suppressed dissent in multiple ways, the government is now living with the consequences. If issues can’t be discussed openly, they will be discussed in the echo chambers of social media, and radical solutions will be sought.
Having suppressed dissent in multiple ways, the government is now living with the consequences. If issues can’t be discussed openly, they will be discussed in the echo chambers of social media, and radical solutions will be sought.
The government may have thought the sentiment behind Occupy was over and done with, but research shows that the feelings of alienation and dissatisfaction never left Hong Kong youth.
The government may have thought the sentiment behind Occupy was over and done with, but research shows that the feelings of alienation and dissatisfaction never left Hong Kong youth.
Existing guidelines on music education in Hong Kong already emphasise respect for the Chinese and other national anthems. At the same time, a school’s role is to educate, and neither to indoctrinate nor police students.
Existing guidelines on music education in Hong Kong already emphasise respect for the Chinese and other national anthems. At the same time, a school’s role is to educate, and neither to indoctrinate nor police students.
The education system needs to be reformed at every level. Schools should be less exam-oriented, vocational education should not be second best, and the University Grants Committee should nurture creativity, not nip it in the bud.
The education system needs to be reformed at every level. Schools should be less exam-oriented, vocational education should not be second best, and the University Grants Committee should nurture creativity, not nip it in the bud.
The Hong Kong government’s education reforms have not addressed the right problems, focusing on Chinese history and the influence of ‘liberal studies’ when they should think about training students for the technology of the future
The Hong Kong government’s education reforms have not addressed the right problems, focusing on Chinese history and the influence of ‘liberal studies’ when they should think about training students for the technology of the future
Hong Kong needs a common curriculum of civic education that prepares students for the rights and duties of being a citizen, bearing in mind the city’s unique status as an SAR of China.
Hong Kong needs a common curriculum of civic education that prepares students for the rights and duties of being a citizen, bearing in mind the city’s unique status as an SAR of China.
The uncivil behaviour displayed by students in the row over pro-independence posters on university campuses runs counter to democratic values such as tolerance, fairness and open-mindedness
The uncivil behaviour displayed by students in the row over pro-independence posters on university campuses runs counter to democratic values such as tolerance, fairness and open-mindedness
Kerry Kennedy says self-financed undergraduate students and their institutions who accept this largesse should also understand their obligation to give back to society after they graduate
Kerry Kennedy says self-financed undergraduate students and their institutions who accept this largesse should also understand their obligation to give back to society after they graduate
Now, it seems, Occupy Central is to be blamed on liberal studies. There has been too much teaching about politics and this is what has brought students onto the streets. At least this is the implication of DAB's advice to the Education Bureau.
Now, it seems, Occupy Central is to be blamed on liberal studies. There has been too much teaching about politics and this is what has brought students onto the streets. At least this is the implication of DAB's advice to the Education Bureau.
Occupy Central as a formal movement was buried before it had a chance to start. Instead we have Occupy Hong Kong.
Occupy Central as a formal movement was buried before it had a chance to start. Instead we have Occupy Hong Kong.
The Education Bureau, Professional Teachers' Union and principals have been at odds about responses to the falling secondary school population in Hong Kong.
The Education Bureau, Professional Teachers' Union and principals have been at odds about responses to the falling secondary school population in Hong Kong.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's second policy address nailed his government's socially progressive credentials to the mast. Apart from middle class cries of "me too", and the usual opposition from those who will never give any credit to this government, support for the city's poor has been well received.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's second policy address nailed his government's socially progressive credentials to the mast. Apart from middle class cries of "me too", and the usual opposition from those who will never give any credit to this government, support for the city's poor has been well received.
Hong Kong prides itself as a fair and tolerant society. It is a signatory to a number of international covenants that seek to guarantee international standards of social justice and equity. Yet the issues of ethnic minorities are becoming a regular aspect of concern, whether it is alleged racial profiling by police, inequitable educational provision for students or poverty and substandard housing for many ethnic minority families.
Hong Kong prides itself as a fair and tolerant society. It is a signatory to a number of international covenants that seek to guarantee international standards of social justice and equity. Yet the issues of ethnic minorities are becoming a regular aspect of concern, whether it is alleged racial profiling by police, inequitable educational provision for students or poverty and substandard housing for many ethnic minority families.
The recent budget contained a provision of HK$480 million a year to send 20 bright Hong Kong students overseas to study early childhood education or English. On the surface, this may seem like an initiative that will make teaching an attractive option for the smartest of Hong Kong's secondary students but is this really the message that will be sent to the community?
The recent budget contained a provision of HK$480 million a year to send 20 bright Hong Kong students overseas to study early childhood education or English. On the surface, this may seem like an initiative that will make teaching an attractive option for the smartest of Hong Kong's secondary students but is this really the message that will be sent to the community?