Why can’t Hong Kong create a happy learning environment for youth?
Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai calls for university admissions system rethink and better support for low-income families amid worrying suicide trend
The chairman of a government-appointed student suicide prevention committee has called on Hong Kong’s educators to “deeply reflect” on why the city cannot create a happy learning environment for its youth.
Led by Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai, the committee was set up after a worrying spike in the number of youth suicides in the city between January and April this year.
Speaking on radio on Saturday, Yip said an analysis of the suicide cases found school and family relationship issues, social media and academic pressures were the main reasons forstudents taking their own lives.
He called for the score-based university admissions system to be reformed, more support for low-income families and working parents, and more responsibility from social media operators and users.
Yip said the local curriculum for secondary school students was too crammed and created a culture where teachers and parents often needed to provide additional classes or send children to after-school tutoring.