National security law: critical teaching methods are fine, but Hong Kong students must learn pitfalls of pushing for revolution, Elsie Leung says
- Beijing loyalist Elsie Leung spells out teachers’ role when national security law is in place
- HKU law lecturer questions whether students will be able to learn critical thinking in future
Speaking at a seminar on Friday attended by educationists, the former secretary for justice recalled attending a recent discussion with a group of teachers, during which one asked if students could still be taught about revolution once the new law was in force.
The anxious history teacher referred to Chinese revolutionary leaders Sun Yat-sen, who overthrew the Qing dynasty, and Mao Zedong, who established the People’s Republic of China, and asked if such subjects could be discussed.
“I said I agreed with critical teaching methods, but the first thing you should tell students is that everyone is responsible to their country,” said Leung, a former vice-chairwoman of the Basic Law Committee.
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“If you are really dissatisfied with the regime and you really push ahead with a revolution, you should consider [the Chinese saying], ‘The winner is king, the loser an outlaw’. When you lose and fail, you will be beheaded. And there’s no achieving justice by violating the law.”