Lack Of Liberal Studies Will Do Harm, Say PTU

The Professional Teachers Union said on Tuesday its members are worried that any move to drop liberal studies as a compulsory subject will harm their students' critical thinking skills.

The union said a survey it carried out showed 80 percent of liberal studies teachers are opposed to the idea of letting students choose whether to take up the subject or not.

It's been reported that the government is considering the change as part of a review of primary and secondary school curriculums.

But PTU president Fung Wai-wah noted that in the past, it was thought that it was not adequate for students only to study subjects such as science and the arts and therefore liberal studies was introduced to raise their ability in critical thinking.

Liberal studies has been criticised by some pro-establishment figures, who say it has led to some youngsters adopting radical political views. Others say that by making it a compulsory subject, less time is being devoted to the study of Chinese history and culture.

A task force was set up last November to review primary and secondary school curriculums.