Doubts On Liberal Studies Reform 'unnecessary': Govt

Education Secretary Kevin Yeung on Saturday dismissed what he called the "misunderstanding and unnecessary doubts" over the government’s plan to revamp liberal studies, insisting the secondary school subject was not going to be turned into national education.

Speaking on a radio programme, Yeung said it was necessary to clarify to the community that knowing about the country’s development had always been part of the syllabus.

"In the whole of the school curriculum, promoting national identity is an important value that we need to learn," he said. "In view of the need for future development, the students in Hong Kong need to recognise the relationship between Hong Kong and their own country, and the country’s future development."

Under the plan, liberal studies will get a new curriculum, grading system and even a different name, with the changes likely to come into force from the start of the next academic year.

All the teaching materials will also be vetted by the government, and the existing curriculum will be slashed in half, with more emphasis on the country's development, the constitution, the Basic Law and the rule of law.

The proposed changes came after pro-Beijing figures blamed the subject for last year’s social unrest, where many young people took part in the often violent protests.

Yeung also said his bureau was dealing with around 40 complaints against teachers, with the nature of one case being more serious. Two primary school teachers were de-registered by the government recently for allegedly preparing pro-Hong Kong independence materials and making up historical facts.