Hong Kong’s pro-independence sentiments not ‘directly linked’ to schools, says city’s education chief
But Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung agrees that young need to better understand country’s development
The city’s education minister on Saturday rejected his mainland counterpart’s assessment that the rise of pro-independence sentiments in Hong Kong was “linked directly” to the education system, saying schools were not responsible for the movement.
“Is Hong Kong independence directly related to our education? It’s very hard to say so,” Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said in a radio show in response to comments by China’s education chief Chen Baosheng last week.
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“We do not talk about Hong Kong independence in schools in principle. So, where do the thoughts of Hong Kong independence come from? They definitely do not come from the education system.”
Former Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing also expressed similar reservations. One should not blame all problems on the education system even as it might have a big impact on society, he said on the sidelines of a community event.
Basic Law education is an important part of the school curriculum, and we will continue to strengthen it in schools
Tsang warned that the independence controversy would not die down even if the education system was overhauled.