Talking Points: Should students have more say in what they are taught at school?

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Hate it when you can’t talk back? Well, you can with Young Post. Have your say and share with students around Hong Kong

Ginny Wong |
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Shum Pui-cheuk, 12, Sheng Kung Hui  Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School

Yes, they should. I think that if they had more say, there would be more creative subjects. It would be better if students could focus their time and energy on a subject they love rather than be forced to learn a bunch of subjects they have no interest in.

Janice Ma Sze-yu, 12, Sheng Kung Hui  Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School

No, I don’t think students should have more say in what they are taught in school. Too much freedom will make them less disciplined. There will be subjects that students will enjoy less than others, but they are still necessary and it’s for their own good that they learn these things.

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Miko Li Hang-chun, 15,  Henrietta Secondary School

Students should have more say in what they are taught at school. School is a place for learning and I think students should have the freedom and power to learn what they want to learn. Sometimes there are sensitive issues that teachers might not want to discuss, but a lot of these issues are relevant to us. If we were curious we could just look it up on the internet, but it’s better if our teachers at school would teach us.

Li Fei-pang, 16, Ju Ching Chu Secondary School (Yuen Long)

Absolutely. In my opinion, students should be encouraged to talk to their teachers about what they want to learn. Interaction is an important part of teaching and learning. They shouldn’t just mindlessly sit in their classes while their teacher gives them a lecture. If they have questions or would like to learn about something off topic, then they should feel comfortable asking.

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Sofia Ng Ching-yee, 16,  Henrietta Secondary School

I think students should speak up to their teachers about what they want to learn rather than learn whatever their teacher decides to teach them. That way, students would be more engaged and interested in the material they are learning.

Chan Yeuk-lam,17, Ju Ching Chu Secondary School

Definitely. Students in different level request dissimilar teaching methods and instructional objects. That is to say, if students can have more say in their lessons, they’re able to learn knowledge more effectively and efficiently. Students should be encouraged to express what they need for themselves, and not hide their thoughts and feelings.

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Kary Ng,12, Sheng Kung Hui Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School

I think no because of the ability level of the whole Hong Kong education system . If students can have more say just like they may decide what they are going to learn and every school’s students learn different things, so what is the intention of DSE ? For example, students decide they don't need to learn anything about English. The effect is a lot of them cannot communicate with foreigners. This is bad for everyone in Hong Kong. Therefore, I think students cannot have more say.

Natalie Tang Yi-ting, 15, Henrietta Secondary School

Yes, I think students should have more say in what they are taught at school because students should learn something that they want to and  are interested in. On top of that, students should have a say in what they are taught at school and by no means choose all of the subject by school.

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Amos Chan Yan-pok, 12, Sheng Kung Hui Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School

No, I do not think students should have more say in what they are taught at school. Students should learn the basic knowledge of different subjects. If students just select their own subjects, they do not know about the world thoroughly. They should be exposed to other knowledge and widen their interests so they can select more specific subjects in future.

Mak Ching-san, 14, Henrietta Secondary School

I think students should have more say in what they are taught at school. First it can increase their memory of what they learn and have more understanding of the main point of each chapter. Thus, it can build their confidence from what they say in. For example, they can present to the teacher what they learn from the chapter. This helps to improve their communication skills and they can speak better English.

In our next Talking Points, we’ll discuss:

Should drivers be forced to take another driving test after they are 50? 

We are now accepting your answers for this topic. To take part, email your answer with your name, age, and school, along with a nice, clear selfie (make sure it’s not blurry), to [email protected] by lunchtime on Monday. Don’t forget to include “Talking Points” in the subject line.

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