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
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.
“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.
Other review reports from last month also took aim at two more special needs schools for falling short in terms of national security education.
The reviews are published as part of a school development and accountability framework introduced by the bureau in the 2003-04 academic year.
Under the policy, reviewers must analyse documents provided by schools, observe classes and activities such as flag-raising ceremonies, as well as interview teachers and parents.
