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LettersWhy Hong Kong’s religious schools should live on
- Readers discuss the suggestion that Hong Kong phase out religious schools, the display of the national flag at a church, and steps the government can take to boost patriotism in the young
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I refer to the letter, “Post-colonial Hong Kong should rethink religious schools” (October 3). The writer acknowledges the role Christian schools have played in Hong Kong, but in the next breath he calls for their abolition.
A puzzling non sequitur, except as a call for a “post-colonial” reckoning.
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But what the writer sees as a post-colonial city, I call an international city. In Hong Kong, I as a gweilo can make a life, and feel a sense of belonging, as I have done since 1976.
Like the writer, I too am an atheist. Yet I love the fact that Hong Kong has its churches, its mosques and its temples. I’m happy that we have schools of all stripes from secular government schools to international and religious schools. I don’t want them banned, least of all for concerns over alleged colonialism.
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Moreover, getting rid of religious schools would be against our Basic Law. Article 136 of the Basic Law says, “Community organizations and individuals may, in accordance with law, run educational undertakings of various kinds” in Hong Kong. Article 137 says, “Educational institutions of all kinds may retain their autonomy and enjoy academic freedom” and “Schools run by religious organizations may continue to provide religious education, including courses in religion.”
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