China
23:29, 01-Jul-2017
Hong Kong’s new government vows to promote national education
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Promoting national education is one of the most important tasks for Hong Kong’s new Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who has promised her government will step up efforts to nurture a sense of national identity among students.
Many Hong Kong children know little about the Chinese mainland, but they want to know more, as CGTN’s Li Jiejun reports.
Students can learn Chinese history and culture in schools, but experts say students need more than just textbooks to nurture a sense of national pride.
Promoting national education standards has been difficult.
Large protests opposing teaching national education in Hong Kong schools were held in 2012. And opposition against pushing forward with education reforms still exists.
Ever since the Occupy Central movement in 2014, Hong Kong society has remained deeply divided, with some publicly advocating for independence. Observers say knowledge is the key to changing people's minds. Hong Kong students should receive a proper education that meets global standards.
It has been 20 years since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, but the study of Chinese history, literature and culture is still being neglected in most schools.
Leading educators say teaching Hong Kong students about their Chinese heritage is key to establishing a healthy and united society.