An education official has given assurance that students will be encouraged to enter into analytical dialogues on controversial issues during their national education classes, saying that any notion of so-called "brainwashing" has no part to play in the plan.

With the exception of international schools, all of the city's primary and secondary schools will be obliged to dedicate a couple of classes every week to teach the new subject of "moral and national education". Classes are to commence by 2014 in the city's primary schools and in secondary schools by 2015 at the latest.

Despite community concerns over the very idea of a national education program in schools, the subject also will address issues including personal life, family, society and the world at large. Unlike other mainstream subjects, students are not required to sit conventional examinations.

Cheung Kwok-wah, the principal assistant secretary (curriculum development) of the Education Bureau, said on a radio program on Monday that the purpose of the subject is not to "brainwash" the new generation. Instead, it will provide teachers with the right guidelines and opportunity to engage students in discussion of sensitive issues.

"There are a lot of different controversies in the society and the more we explore these issues (in class), the more we will achieve toward building our identification with these places," he said. Cheung named democracy and human rights as areas that the subject will involve.

An example he cited was the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear leak - stocks of salt were cleared out by people who thought salt consumption could shield against radiation. Students should learn how to think individually after the lesson.

"(The children) will eventually hold morals, independent thinking and open attitudes. We are not giving up core values of Hong Kong," Cheung said. "We are parents too. There is definitely no motivation for the Education Bureau to run a brainwashing scheme."

As a three-year grace period was given before the obligatory launch of the subject, major school sponsors like the Catholic Church and Buddhist association, have decided to wait and do not plan to introduce the new program by September.

Cheung said the schools' cautious approach to the new and controversial subject was well appreciated and understood. "It takes time to put together the teaching materials that will earn the trust of parents," he said.

He said school sponsors have been encouraged to compile materials autonomously with regard to their religious or school-based needs.

The assurance came on Monday, when a petition signed by over 1,000 parents including members of the social elite was published in local papers. A protest was scheduled on Sunday to mount further pressure - turnout was expected to exceed 10,000.

The official curriculum guideline was issued two months ago, but much of the recent controversy was triggered by a reference booklet distributed by the National Education Services Centre in June.

Cheung Kwok-wah said while the Education Bureau had sponsored the center for an extended period of time, "it does not mean that will continue". A spokesperson for the bureau later told Cable TV that since a review on subsidizing the centre is still underway, the bureau has made no commitment to renew the funding.

kahon@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 07/24/2012 page1)