National security education 'necessary' in schools

HONG KONG - Heads of primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong said it is necessary to include national security education in local school curriculum once the draft law on national security is passed.

They called for the Hong Kong government to provide teaching materials and training to the local teachers on the proposed national security law so that schools would become better equipped in teaching students.

They made the remarks ahead of a three-day meeting of the National People's Congress Standing Committee to be started on Sunday. The meeting will discuss and probably vote on a draft law to safeguard national security in Hong Kong.

Chim Hon-ming, principal of Chiu Sheung School, said after obtaining the materials of instructions, the school will work with teachers on ways to teach the relevant content so that students would understand the importance of the law.

"I hope they can recognize their identity as residents of Hong Kong and nationals of the country, and that they have the responsibility to protect national security. We hope we can do our part properly," Chim said.

Noting the grave effect on schools by the yearlong often-violent protests, Chim said "Of the greatest importance to the school is to teach students to abide by the law and differentiate between right and wrong."

"We may see things differently. But it is important to know that we should never try to achieve our aims by destructive means," he noted.

Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, secretary for education of the HKSAR government, said Friday that the department was planning to brief students at school about the law on safeguarding national security in the HKSAR.

The bureau will study how to let students more deeply understand the significance of the law, its key content, and the influence on young people in class after the law takes effect, said Yeung at a media session after officiating at a forum marking the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law.

Chan Wai-kai, chief principal of the Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School, concurred. He said the city's Education Bureau can provide training to enable every teacher to understand the law accurately.

"It's called training the trainers, " said Chan.

The government should design detailed teaching materials, hold training courses and public lectures for tens of thousands of registered local teachers, he said.

Chan said that disruptions to schooling in the past year were "unfortunate" for students who should have focused on their studies. Participation in constant protests affected their academic performance, limiting students' future opportunities, he added.

Parents too have raised concerns about the impact of politics on campus. They said there should be a peaceful, loving, and respectful environment that protects students from social unrest, said Chan.

Educators should pay attention to improving students' understanding of their motherland, said Stanley Kam Wai-ming, principal of HKSKHB Bishop Hall Secondary school.

He said the younger generation needs to realize that Hong Kong can be integrated into the country without losing its uniqueness.

Over the past few decades, a lack of effective communication and understanding between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland has led to the current anxiety in society and even mistrust about the upcoming national security law, said Kam.

Most people in Hong Kong are aware of the need of a national security law, but efforts are still needed to allay their concerns and explain to them how the law would protect the city, he added.