Adam Ng and Joshua Wong
A new group, Scholarism, protests the propaganda of the proposed national education curriculum. In spite of their age, members demonstrate an exceptional ability to mobilize members. Grace Tsoi talks to Adam Ng and Joshua Wong.
HK Magazine: When and how was Scholarism founded?
Joshua Wong: By a group of secondary school students in June last year. The government had already planned to implement national education... but no student organization had stood up to say no. Today, Scholarism has around 200 to 300 members.
HK: What do you find so frightening about national education?
JW: For example, in the textbook “China Model—National Conditions Teaching Handbook,” which is published with government funding, the Communist Party is described as “progressive, united and selfless.”
AN: I feel very worried about primary school children. They don’t have the ability to judge for themselves, and they trust their teachers totally. They won’t question the curriculum’s content.
HK: Members of Scholarism—many of whom are not 18 yet—are at the forefront of the anti-national education movement. Are you disappointed in the lukewarm response from adults?
AN: Quite a few of them are not bothered about this issue. As a parent, you don’t need to study this subject, but your children and the next generation will. I am a bit disheartened. Some people scolded me in Putonghua and said, “Don’t you think that Hong Kong already enjoys a lot of freedom? You should focus on studying!”
HK: Many members of the public have been impressed by Joshua’s eloquence when facing the media. Any tips?
JW: I talk about things that I truly believe in. I won’t lie based on political calculations or interests. I have also had some media training. Before Scholarism, I had been invited to media interviews as a young activist. Last April, RTHK interviewed me, which was my first shot. I stuttered a lot and it took me more than a dozen times to do the take.
HK: How do you get ideas for demonstration props?
AN: We have tried to follow the new education minister Eddie Ng wherever he goes. We presented him with a number of gimmicky gifts, such as a “shameful lollipop,” “honest dorayaki” [red bean pancake], “vindicate June 4 memory bread” and a “political energy drink.”
JW: We got the ideas from Stephen Chow’s movie “Tricky Brains” and Doraemon cartoons. People think that the props are hilarious because no one imagined they could be used in protests.
HK: How do you compare yourselves to the “Post-80s” generation?
JW: I think the “Post-90s” will also be very socially active. We have to take liberal studies now—in a way, it forces students to learn more about political participation, rule of law, civil disobedience and the election system of Hong Kong. That’s why more and more teenagers attend the June 4 candlelight vigil. We also took cues from the experiences of the Post-80s. They might give an impression that they are all radical, but Scholarism tries to take a milder and more progressive stance to garner support from more sections of society.
HK: Are there any constraints for you guys to take part in social movements?
AN: We can only use time after school and holidays to take action. It’s summertime now, so we have more time. But some of our members will have to do public examinations next year; we have to strike a balance between activism and study. On the other hand, parents of some members of Scholarism—including mine—do not support or know about what we are doing right now.
Find out more at www.facebook.com/Scholarism.
