Carry Lam "Hong Kong Education Encourages Protests, Needs Reform"…Backlash from Education Sector

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] Carrie Lam, the pro-China Chief Executive of Hong Kong, has sparked strong backlash from the Hong Kong education sector by claiming that the 'liberal studies' subject, introduced in secondary schools in 2009, incited the Hong Kong protests.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 12th, Lam said in an interview with the pro-government Hong Kong media outlet Ta Kung Pao the previous day, "There are issues in Hong Kong's education that need to be corrected," adding, "The Hong Kong government will announce how to reform the liberal studies curriculum this year. The liberal studies course fueled the intense Hong Kong protests that occurred last year."

She also stated, "Hong Kong's education system should not become a chicken coop without doors," and added, "False and biased information is spreading on campuses. We must protect students from being poisoned. Education authorities and schools must properly act as gatekeepers." Pro-China forces within Hong Kong's political sphere have long argued that the large participation of Hong Kong students in last year's pro-democracy protests was influenced by this course, and Lam has now brought this issue to the forefront through her media interview, signaling a forthcoming reform of the system.

The liberal studies course is a mandatory subject in the Hong Kong university entrance examination, involving essay writing and debate on political and social issues. It is designed to develop students' critical thinking skills and enhance social awareness. Many Hong Kong students have become more familiar with issues such as democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression through this subject.

Lam's interview came amid renewed stirrings of Hong Kong protests following the easing of the COVID-19 situation, with clashes between protesters and police over the past weekend resulting in more than 18 injuries and 200 arrests. During the weekend, dozens to hundreds of protesters gathered at over ten shopping malls across Hong Kong city to hold anti-government demonstrations demanding Lam's resignation.

Lam's remarks provoked outrage in the Hong Kong education community. The pro-democracy Professional Teachers' Union, consisting of 100,000 members, called it "an insult to the education sector" and urged Lam to retract her statement and apologize to teachers. Lau Kam-fai, chairman of the Hong Kong Liberal Studies Teachers' Association, said, "I no longer believe this course has incited students to participate in protests. Through the course, students learn to listen to others' opinions and cultivate respect and tolerance."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.