Hong Kong’s future leaders need an education system fit for challenging times

Graduates should be equipped with more than skills and knowledge – they must be creative problem-solvers capable of innovative thinking and working in teams

They must also learn to prioritise the needs of the community over individual freedom and understand how to deal with ‘fake news’

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Pupils attend the first day of the new academic year, at Scientia Secondary School in Ho Man Tin, on September 1. The Hong Kong education system has much of which it can be proud. Photo: Winson Wong

Kerry Kennedy

Kerry Kennedy is professor emeritus and adviser (academic development) at The Education University of Hong Kong.

Published: 6:45am, 11 Sep 2021Updated: 7:02am, 11 Sep 2021

It seems that normality in any form will be difficult to achieve in Hong Kong. The city is still experiencing the aftermath of the social and political unrest of 2019 and Covid-19 continues to drive our lives, even with a declining caseload.

These two years of disruption have often been dispiriting and at times despairing. At the same time, however, they highlight the need for a resilient education system. Such a system should not only respond to events but lead the way in finding solutions.

Ensuring such a system is in place should be a priority for the Hong Kong government and recognised as a key contribution to the development of the city’s young people.

It should be understood from the start that the education system in Hong Kong has much of which it can be proud. Its students make their presence felt in international tests and its universities achieve high rankings internationally.