‘Lessons on new law a must’

Heads of schools: national security education is necessary

Heads of primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong said it is necessary to include national security education in school curriculum once the draft law on national security for the city 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 have taken place yesterday.

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 recognise their identity people 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,” he 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 added.

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

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.

Stanley Kam, principal of Bishop Hall Secondary school said most people here 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.