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How can Hong Kong DSE students think outside the box if stock answers are the norm?
I refer to Andy Tong’s letter, about how the liberal studies subject for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exam needs to be protected and supported (“We must stay the course on liberal studies”, May 18).
Undeniably, the original purpose of introducing liberal studies was to have students think critically and be more aware of the world around them. And, as one of the students who studied its six modules, I really believe I now know more about the world, the past and present China, as well as the situation of Hong Kong.
However, I doubt whether, as an exam subject, it is really allowing them to think outside the box. All homework and tests on the subject tend to have standard answers and marking schemes, which means students are required to answer as the teachers suggested and cannot really express themselves on different current issues. I believe this actually limits their thinking.
Therefore, even though liberal studies should not be removed from the DSE, the Education Bureau should change the way the subject is taught.
Ofelia Fok, To Kwa Wan
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