Thousands Hong Kong Students Boycott Classes, Demanding Full Withdrawal of National Education

r.jpg
Students attend a class boycott over national education in Hong Kong's Chinese University September 11, 2012. Tryone Siu/Reuters

More than 1,000 university students in Hong Kong boycotted classes last Tuesday in protest against the pro-Beijing “patriotism” curriculum that was introduced at the beginning of this month.

Despite Hong Kong government’s back down on the plan to make the curriculum compulsory after tens of thousands of people took to the streets, students demanded full withdrawal of the ‘moral and national education’ three days after the government’s response.

Under the blazing sun, students dressed in black and staged a four-hour rally at Chinese University in New Territories.

“It makes no difference. Some schools depend on government support so they may feel pressure if they don’t impose national education,” Winky Wong, a student at City University of Hong Kong, told Reuters. “It’s all excuses. We don’t believe in government excuses.”

Kenneth Chan, associate professor of government and international studies at Baptist University, said children should study Chinese history if they wanted to understand the country better.

"There's no need to have a separate national education," he said. "This move came to us as a political assignment imposed by above (Beijing)."

Leung, speaking ahead of the university protest, urged students to think about what their demands amounted to, according to Reuters.

"If the government withdraws it, that would be tantamount to forbidding schools that want to teach this course from doing so," he said. "I believe this way of doing things is inappropriate for Hong Kong which is a society that values freedom and diversity."

The city of 7 million voted for a new legislature on Sunday, a day after Leung backed down on the education scheme. Leung has emerged as the big political winner in Hong Kong’s legislative elections on Sunday.

Dissatisfaction at the way the government deals with China has risen to the highest level in eight years, according to a survey by the Hong Kong Transition Project, which has tracked changes in the city since its return to China in 1997.

“In the short term, national education is an important issue, but in broader terms many people are concerned about the central government’s influence in Hong Kong,” said Ma Ngok, a political scientist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.