Chief executive’s policy address failed Hong Kong’s elderly and stressed-out students

However, despite the widespread public disappointment, we should judge him based on his actions, rather than perceptions. So, what exactly did he fail to accomplish in his policy plan?

In my view, it failed in two major ways. First, it lacks sufficient support for the elderly. Hong Kong is ageing quickly; by 2041, one in three Hong Kong peole will be 65 years or above. The government has no choice but to step up its efforts to prepare us for this future. Elderly people need better prospects.

In the policy address, the chief executive announced that the government will provide about 70 additional subsidised day care places between now and 2016-17. This is hardly enough, as Hong Kong currently has about 1.1 million people who are 65 years and over.

Not too long ago, Hong Kong people were outraged by the callous treatment of some elderly residents in a nursing home. Thus, in his speech, Leung pledged to increase the supply of subsidised residential care places, improve their service, and strengthen their monitoring, such as by enhancing inspection and supervision. The move is laudable, but the plan remains vague and he did not specify what kind of measures would be taken. Hong Kong needs a sustainable plan to help the elderly.

Two, the policy plan did not address problems in our education system. It is true that everyone loves learning, but few of us like the education system. Just like other secondary students in Hong Kong, I feel like I am studying in a “pressure cooker” instead of in a school. Due to our tight schedule of extracurricular activities and the dreaded Diploma of Secondary Education exam, we have to push ourselves very hard.