A cause of anti-government protests or an essential tool to teach the young to think for themselves? Row over liberal studies rumbles on
- Initiated by former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, the city’s ex-leader is now one of the subject’s fiercest critics
- Pro-Beijing figures want it abolished, while others say the subject matter includes facts that cannot be erased
Liberal studies, the subject designed to cultivate critical thinking among high school students in Hong Kong, is again under fire as pro-Beijing figures ramp up attacks on the subject and demand it be overhauled.
A compulsory part of the curriculum for all upper secondary school pupils since 2009, its detractors blame it for causing the civil unrest that has rocked the city since June.
The subject aims to foster social awareness, independent thinking, and positive values among students through six modules, which include topics such as Hong Kong today, modern China, and globalisation.
But it has also been claimed that it has sowed the seeds of rebellion and anti-government sentiment among the younger generation.
As pro-Beijing supporters call for its abolition, pressure has been mounting on the Education Bureau to reform the curriculum.
All eyes are now on the government to see how it is going to tackle this latest battle in the fight between the pro-establishment and pro-democracy camps.