Hong Kong to revise subject for junior secondary students over next 2 years to focus on national security, fostering patriotism
- Life and Society course to be overhauled to focus on strengthening students’ understanding of China and cultivating national identity
- Schools given one month to give views on how to implement new Citizenship, Economics and Society, with education authorities aiming for full roll-out in 2024
A subject for junior secondary students in Hong Kong will be revised over the next two years to focus more on national security and fostering patriotism, education authorities have revealed.
In a proposal unveiled on Wednesday, the Education Bureau said the Life and Society curriculum for pupils in Form One to Three at public sector schools would be overhauled and renamed Citizenship, Economics and Society. The new subject would aim to strengthen students’ understanding of China and cultivate national identity, in addition to informing them of their societal roles and responsibilities.
In response to the proposal, Wong Ching-yung, principal of Scientia Secondary School in Ho Man Tin, said the new curriculum would teach pupils to “love the country” and complement non-academic activities such as flag-raising ceremonies.
He added that the subject would prepare students for the compulsory Citizenship and Social Development course introduced for senior forms last year.
Authorities overhauled the previous liberal studies for senior secondary pupils to focus on teaching national security, identity, lawfulness and patriotism.
“I think the bureau will soon reform general studies in primary schools, it is just being done step by step,” Wong said, referring to a compulsory subject for younger years.