National education is a necessity following China’s resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997. But the emphasis on keeping the city’s way of life unchanged under the governance model of “one country, two systems” means it has not been given the importance it deserves. Indeed, the issue was so touchy that a government attempt in 2012 to make it a compulsory school subject unleashed mass protests.

That was history. The imposition of the national security law in 2020 has resulted in a paradigm shift. Today, there is considerably less political resistance towards Beijing and the government can push through major reforms without a hitch.

That said, the sensitivities must not be underestimated. Even though many schools and teachers have come to realise that national education is a must, they need clear guidance and resources to deliver. Under the latest guidelines issued by the Education Bureau, primary and secondary schools are to organise campus-based learning activities on 18 key “national education” dates, five more than under the previous school calendar. They include the anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party’s founding, the People’s Liberation Army Day, Labour Day, Martyrs Day and the July 7 Incident Memorial Day, which commemorates the Marco Polo Bridge incident that sparked the second Sino-Japanese war.

Patriotic Education Centre to host classes for Hong Kong students from September

Unlike the national education curriculum reform in 2012, the new requirements are unlikely to trigger a major wave of protests. But some schools understandably expressed concerns over the additional workload. Others say they only have to reorganise their existing materials, saying the newly added events are already covered in previous activities. It is important that schools and teachers do not feel they are imposed with more duties. The authorities should help resolve manpower and financial difficulties.