Hong Kong government’s move to advise publishers on liberal studies textbooks evokes mixed response from educators

Education Bureau reveals plan following worries among a section of people that some textbooks have ‘misled students and spread hatred’

Some educators fear the move could lead to government’s tightening control over course content, while others consider it a step forward

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A schoolteacher said he was sad to see young people holding American or British flags during the ongoing anti-government protests. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 10:37pm, 24 Sep 2019Updated: 11:13pm, 24 Sep 2019

Hong Kong government’s move to advise publishers on liberal studies textbooks has evoked mixed response from educators – some fearing it could lead to political censorship of school curriculum, while others considering it a step forward in the right direction.

The Education Bureau announced the plan on Monday, while citing worries among a section of the public that certain liberal studies textbooks “have misled students and spread hatred and bias” amid the ongoing social unrest.

The bureau also said it would consider the possibility of requiring publishers to submit their liberal studies textbooks for scrutiny in the long run, to eventually come up with a list of recommended textbooks.

Former Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa, now vice-chairman of China’s top political advisory body, in July blamed liberal studies, which aims to enhance students’ social awareness, for encouraging violent protests among youngsters. But education officials had then refuted the criticism.

In July, former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa blamed liberal studies for encouraging violent protests among Hong Kong youngsters. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

The bureau on Tuesday said it took the decision after discussing with the members of the Hong Kong Association of Professional Education Publishing, who supported the move. It also assured that the advisory would not involve any political consideration.