Quizzes, photo mosaic of ‘children’s smiles’ mark Hong Kong’s first National Security Education Day since Beijing imposed law on city
- Children as young as three have been asked to participate in a variety of events, but how schools have approached the day has differed greatly
- ‘I doubt whether children who cannot tie their own shoelaces can really understand [national security] in a meaningful way,’’ one parent says, as some groups urge boycott
While some kindergarten pupils were having their photos taken for a mosaic wall of “children’s smiles” under the national security theme, most schools were expected to at least hold flag-raising ceremonies and play the national anthem.
Some secondary school student concern groups, meanwhile, have called for their peers to boycott the activities, including turning their backs on the national flag and refusing to sing the anthem, March of the Volunteers.
“We hope to teach kindergarten pupils about the correct understanding of National Security Education Day, for instance, in terms of national identity, we are Chinese people living in Hong Kong,” kindergarten principal Nancy Lam Chui-ling said.
Lam, vice chair of the pro-Beijing Federation of Education Workers, also said children between three and six years old at her school would be told about law-abidingness and respect.
“National security law concepts are indeed difficult to teach to kindergarten kids. That’s why we hope to nurture them at a young age about positive values, so they can distinguish between black and white when they grow up,” she said.
The sweeping security legislation targets acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Schools and universities are required to promote national security education under the law.