I write in response to “ Hong Kong publishers make changes to liberal studies textbooks after voluntary review ” (August 18). Many Hong Kong government officials believe that some content in liberal studies textbooks encouraged young people to become radical and join anti-government protests. After six publishers took part in a voluntary screening programme, they deleted some content from the eight volumes on the subject, including the phrase “separation of powers” and a question bank about civil disobedience. I wonder why those basic concepts and facts were removed. Did they violate the national security law ? Or promote anti-government protests? Other content deleted include some political organisations’ names, for example, Hong Kong Indigenous and Demosisto . Their criticism of the police was deleted too. Police brutality and human rights are important issues around the world. These are topics that people should be concerned with. Therefore, I strongly disagree with the new management of the liberal studies textbooks. As a Secondary Three student, I feel Liberal Studies strengthens my critical thinking, expands my knowledge and raises my awareness of Hong Kong issues. In the examination for the subject, students are required to analyse data, examine social issues and suggest solutions. This nurtures our problem-solving and critical thinking skills. When young people apply those skills in society and discover social and political problems, they want to express their views. Liberal studies is not the main reason young people join protests. It is the way people become aware of problems. Don’t blame liberal studies for Hong Kong’s political crisis The adjustments made to the liberal studies textbooks may affect academic freedom . The sensitivity over some issues may make it difficult for teachers to conduct the lesson or may cause the topics of discussion to be narrowed. Some Hong Kong issues may not even be allowed to be addressed during lessons, because of the national security law. The aim of liberal studies may be lost when students are no longer allowed to be critical or to focus on social issues. The authorities may delete some of the content in these books but the deep-seated social and political problems in Hong Kong causing unease will not disappear. The government should focus on tackling those instead of revising textbooks. Annie Pang, Tseung Kwan O
