News Reader.info

I refer to your report on how Hong Kong teachers are questioning what is acceptable in the classroom under the national security law. The law was implemented nearly a year ago, and it has

sparked repeated concerns about not crossing the government’s “red lines”. However, nobody knows where these lines are. Advertisement For instance, there are questions over how deeply social

topics can be discussed during lessons. Recently, two teachers were stripped of their lifetime registration because of their incorrect understanding of the history of the Opium War and Hong

Kong political issues. The actions the Education Bureau has taken will produce a chilling effect and make teachers either avoid talking about some sensitive topics or follow the official

stance of the government if they cannot prevent such discussions. For instance, about the political system of Hong Kong, there is only one answer the government has clarified: ours is an

executive-led system. It is hard to consider what the fate of the teacher would be if they have taught this “incorrectly”. 02:05 Hong Kong to teach new national security law in classrooms

Hong Kong to teach new national security law in classrooms It is the same logic that can apply in situations where the educators are trying to teach about national security. If the teachers

lead a discussion seen by some as erroneous or distorted, will they be condemned? Would they be violating the Code for the Education Profession? On the other hand, some members of the

Legislative Council have suggested adding CCTV cameras to classrooms to ensure teachers and students will be acquiescent during their lessons. I think it is nonsense, because the presence of

cameras will interfere with teachers’ autonomy and the personal freedom that teachers and students should have. 04:55 How will the national security law change education in Hong Kong? How

will the national security law change education in Hong Kong? Further, if the cameras can record people’s voices, it breaches their freedom of speech. National security should be defended,

of course, but if adding cameras becomes the standard in classrooms, I fear it will become a tool to suppress opinions that are different from those of the government. Advertisement I hope

the government can post clearer guidelines for teachers to better see the red lines of the national security law, and will also seriously weigh the legitimacy of cameras in classrooms.