Two-thirds of Hong Kong's Chinese history teachers opposed to curriculum revision
62.3 per cent feared political interference in questionnaire sent by the Professional Teachers' Union
Nearly two-thirds of Chinese history teachers in secondary schools oppose a plan to revise the curriculum to enhance the teaching of contemporary Chinese history, a survey found.
In a questionnaire sent to 271 teachers by the Professional Teachers' Union between February and March, 62.3 per cent expressed concern that there would be political interference.
The survey results came days after former education minister Michael Suen Ming-yeung said in an interview that one of his regrets was that Chinese history was not made a compulsory subject. He said this had resulted in many young people being ignorant about the history of Hong Kong and China.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying announced in his policy address in January that he would set up a special committee to review how Chinese history is taught, and one direction would be enhancing the teaching of contemporary Chinese history.
Studying Chinese history is compulsory at junior secondary level but optional at senior level.
While 57 per cent of teachers agreed the curriculum framework - which has not been revised since 1997 - should be reviewed, 67.5 per cent were opposed to the committee putting forward an "interim proposal" later this year without a comprehensive review.
"We agree the curriculum should be reviewed, but the process should be conducted seriously and professionally while the teachers should be consulted thoughtfully," said union president Fung Wai-wah.
He said the survey also reflected concerns among teachers that the teaching of Chinese history would become a "political tool" to influence pupils' political ideas.
Some Beijing-loyalists argue that youngsters in the city should have better understanding of Chinese history.
In his policy address, Leung also sought to boost the funding of exchange activities between local and mainland schools.
