Hong Kong introduces sweeping national security rules for schools

Hong Kong CNN — Hong Kong has introduced sweeping new restrictions for how schools operate, months after the Beijing government imposed a new national security law giving authorities wide-ranging powers to crack down on vaguely defined political crimes. In her annual policy address last November, Lam, the city’s Beijing-appointed leader, said the 2019 protests had “led many to question again the effectiveness of Hong Kong’s education.” “We cannot bear to see that with the infiltration of politics into school campuses, students are drawn into political turbulence or even misled to engage in illegal and violent acts, for which they have to take legal responsibilities that will impact on their lives,” Lam said, adding it was “the shared responsibility of the government, society, education sector and parents to find a way to protect our students.” Video Ad Feedback How 2020 saw Hong Kong change forever 03:40 - Source: CNN Political controls Under the new guidelines, inculcation of the tenets of national security will start early. Kindergartens – both private and public – will be expected to instill in their students a greater knowledge of “Chinese history, Chinese culture, and moral education,” which the guidelines say will “gradually build up students’ identity as a Chinese and thus lay the foundation for national security education.” Beginning at the age of 6, all students in Hong Kong will receive new lessons aimed at helping them “understand the country’s history and development, the importance of national security, the national flag, national emblem and national anthem.” Primary school students will be instructed in singing the national anthem and raising the flag, while older children will discuss the rationale behind the law itself, and the importance of institutions such as the People’s Liberation Army. While private educational institutions are not directly under the control of the EDB, the rules issued Thursday state that international and private schools “have the responsibility to help their students acquire a correct and objective understanding … of the concept of national security and the National Security Law, as well as the duty to cultivate a law-abiding spirit among their students.” Hong Kong’s education system is already notoriously intense for students, while the city’s international schools command high fees and are tough to gain admission to, meaning the new rules might be the final straw for some parents who were already considering moving abroad. On Thursday, China’s government issued new guidelines for “strengthening the work of the Chinese Young Pioneers,” a Communist Party youth wing which “serves as a school for children to learn about socialism with Chinese characteristics and communism.” “The guideline stressed upholding the Party’s leadership over the CYP work, and following the fundamental task of nurturing capable young people who are well-prepared to join the communist cause,” according to state news agency Xinhua.