Letters | Hong Kong DSE history question highlights flaws in city education system
- The bias in the way the question was framed and another incident involving a primary schoolteacher show reform is the need of the hour
One of the compulsory sub-questions asked students whether they agreed that, from 1900 to 1945, Japan did more good than harm to China. Two exhibits were provided: one on the Qing government sending students to Japan for further education and the second on a Japanese bank loan in support for China’s revolutionary efforts.
There may be some pedagogical goal in framing the question as such, but one wonders if it would be appropriate to ask the students, in a similar vein, whether they agreed slavery and segregation in the US did more good than harm to African Americans.
What about asking candidates if they agree that the Nazis brought more benefits than harm to the Jews during the Holocaust? I’m sure the Israeli consulate would have rightfully lodged a protest.
Just weeks ago, a schoolteacher taught a class of primary students that Britain launched the Opium War against China with the saintly goal of stopping the Chinese from becoming addicted to opium.