Hong Kong authorities defend criticism of special needs school over poor patriotic education

Social media users earlier slammed Education Bureau for urging school to ensure more teachers were equipped to teach national security topics

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The Education Bureau has said it “deeply regrets” that some residents believe it went too far. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 12:14am, 27 Jun 2024Updated: 2:03am, 27 Jun 2024

Hong Kong education authorities on Wednesday hit back at claims officials had gone too far by calling for a special needs school to improve its national security classes.

Social media users earlier slammed the Education Bureau for urging a school for students with moderate mental disabilities to ensure more teachers were better equipped to instruct pupils on national security topics.

The bureau said it “deeply regretted” that some residents believed it had gone too far and felt authorities were “unreasonable to require students with special educational needs to learn the constitution, the Basic Law and national security education”.

Education authorities had also been slammed for issuing review reports that criticised students at two schools for singing the national anthem too softly.

The bureau defended its stance on Wednesday, saying “March of the Volunteers” had “a distinctive rhythm, a high-pitched melody, majestic force and embodies the courage and indomitable fighting spirit of the Chinese nation”.

“Schools have a responsibility to let students understand the etiquette and attitude required when performing the national anthem, so as to cultivate students’ national identity and respect for the country,” it said.