Hong Kong teachers avoiding ‘sensitive topics’ in revamped liberal studies subject to keep out of trouble
- Education Bureau’s teaching materials are poorly designed, full of jargon and hard to digest, they say
- Teachers frustrated that textbooks will not be ready until next September, as they must first be vetted
Some Hong Kong teachers are ignoring official guidelines and skipping politically sensitive topics in the revamped liberal studies subject, as textbooks will only be available next year and fears abound that devising their own classroom materials could inadvertently land them in hot water.
Teachers who spoke to the Post said they preferred to wait for the textbooks, as some topics in the revamped subject – now known as citizenship and social development – were new, and the materials supplied to schools were poorly designed and too hard for students to digest.
Three educators with at least 10 years’ experience teaching liberal studies told the Post on condition of anonymity they were frustrated because it was hard to teach sensitive new topics without textbooks.
Liberal studies was introduced in 2009 for senior secondary students in an effort to develop their social awareness and critical thinking skills.