Hong Kong schools to get national security law guidelines next month at the earliest, sources say

Education officials met school heads this month to seek their opinion on ideas floated by the government on guidelines, sources say

Under an initial proposal, the advice would include the roles of schools, teachers, parents and students

Reading Time:2 minutes

Pupils hold a sit-in outside a Hong Kong school last year. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 9:30am, 27 Nov 2020Updated: 9:39am, 27 Nov 2020

Hong Kong schools are expected to receive detailed guidelines on the national security law that could include reminders about student activities on campus, and the role of teachers and parents, as early as next month, the Post has learned.

Education officials could also suggest schools designate teachers to take charge of the overall planning for implementing national security education into the existing syllabus, but sources said it was unlikely the topic would become a separate subject.

On Thursday, Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said the government had been refining the guidelines internally and had also consulted representatives from the education sector for feedback on the details.

Kevin Yeung says the government has been refining the guidelines internally. Photo: Sam Tsang

“We also hope we can soon introduce more teaching resources [related to national security education] for schools to use,” Yeung told a press conference.

Under the Beijing-imposed legislation, which targets acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, the city’s government has a responsibility to promote national security education in schools and universities.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x