Hong Kong school uses lessons from overseas to give primary students a more holistic ‘positive education’
- Positive education is an approach that combines psychology and the best teaching practices to encourage all members of a school community to flourish
- The approach nurtures specific abilities in students, including emotion control, stress management and social skills
Eight-year-old Jacob Yeung Chun-hei used to be shy and withdrawn, and going to school would make him cry.
But the Primary Three pupil at the STFA Lee Kam Primary School in Tuen Mun says now he loves going to school, where he can play with his classmates during breaks, and attend special classes with games designed by his school to cultivate positive emotions and interpersonal relationships.
In one such class, Yeung and his fellow pupils were asked by their teacher to stuff a ball in their uniform to simulate pregnancy. Yeung says he learned about the difficulties of motherhood.
“I love going to school and I’m happy there,” he says.
His mother Pearl Tong, a 32-year-old yoga teacher, says she is impressed to see her son become more open and active, and develop a positive attitude in daily life, even when he fails after working hard.
Yeung’s school launched its “positive education” programme in 2017 to promote the intellectual growth and psychological well-being of students, parents and teachers.