Letters | No child in Hong Kong should be left out, or behind

Readers discuss the importance of inclusivity in education, the city’s pivot to Web3, and tourism promotion

Reading Time:3 minutes

Children play as they return to full-day classes in December 2022. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 11:30am, 4 Apr 2023

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The resilience that Hong Kong’s children have shown, in the face of school disruptions dating back to late 2019 and extending over the pandemic, is truly inspiring. Although adults have failed to ensure an environment that fosters children’s physical, emotional and academic well-being, thus contributing to exacerbating educational poverty, they have continued to smile through it.

On the other hand, it is heartbreaking that Children’s Day, be it on April 4 or November 20, seems hardly celebrated in Hong Kong.

Furthermore, some prefer that children in local schools are divided on the basis of ethnicity. When children proudly sport their names, why is there a compulsion to refer to them as ethnic this or that? That children have to wear uniforms to school should also reflect schools’ commitment to treating students with uniform respect. Therefore, rather than undermine their confidence by focusing on their “non-native” English or Chinese ability, why not commit to delivering a nurturing environment that provides equal learning opportunities?

Adults themselves mustn’t forget that not all of them are proficient in academics, arts and sports; should they too be tagged as “non” this or that? Hong Kong would be better served if adults could stop engaging in divisive conversations that undermine children’s confidence, and start encouraging young ones to blossom into confident, capable and united citizens.

In 2020, the number of children living in poverty in Hong Kong increased to 274 900, or a poverty rate of 27 per cent.