Your Voice: A balanced and inclusive curriculum, supporting Hong Kong’s hospitals (long letters)

The Hong Kong Education Bureau is proposing a revamp of the science curriculum, aiming to promote “national awareness” by emphasising mainland China’s scientific achievements. While effective and appropriate, there are significant concerns.

A curriculum focusing mainly or even solely on one nation’s accomplishments will result in a narrow perspective. Science education benefits from diversity and is the result of global collaboration and contribution. This variety is essential for innovation and comprehensive understanding.

If students concentrate mainly on one country’s achievements, they might miss out on significant scientific developments from other parts of the world, limiting their ability to appreciate a wide array of scientific perspectives and breakthroughs.

There is also a risk of blurring the line between education and advertisement, specifically for a political agenda. Extensive emphasis on one country’s scientific accomplishments within any curriculum could inadvertently promote bias or shallow thinking.

Educational authorities should strive to maintain objectivity, encouraging students to analyse, evaluate and appreciate scientific advancements based on merit and evidence rather than nationalistic sentiments.

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Students cannot lose the ability to be impartial, which they need for genuine scientific inquiry and critical thinking.

The proposed changes to the science subject might also lead to the marginalisation of other scientific fields and discoveries. Science inherently relates to more than one branch of knowledge, and a balanced curriculum should reflect how it is connected to various disciplines.

Focusing predominantly on the areas where mainland China has vastly contributed – such as space exploration and clean energy – could result in other vital scientific domains becoming under-represented. This would reduce the overall richness and breadth of the subject.

Additionally, emphasising national scientific achievements in specific areas may pressure students to conform to certain paths in those areas, stifling their individual interests and passions.

Educational institutes should nurture students’ curiosity, encouraging them to explore various fields. Prioritising specific areas will risk compelling students to pursue careers only in those sectors, even if their interests lie elsewhere. This move will limit both personal and professional growth.

Students must develop a broad, inclusive understanding of global scientific advancements. A curriculum heavily centred on one country’s achievements may end up hindering global progress, affecting the international scientific community and its collaborative efforts.

While there are good intentions behind the proposed curriculum revamp, it is essential to consider these potential drawbacks. The curriculum must be balanced and inclusive, showcasing a range of global scientific achievements.

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Violet Lee, St Paul’s Secondary School

An increasing number of Hong Kong people are “heading North” – travelling to mainland China – for medical services. I am concerned this trend might be creating a challenge for the city’s private and public hospitals.

Why are people in Hong Kong choosing to cross the border for medical care?

One survey conducted by the Shenzhen Municipal Public Hygiene and Health Commission in 2023 found that more than 700,000 Hong Kong residents travelled to China for medical treatment and services.

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Around 70 per cent of interviewees noted that Hong Kong public hospitals have long queues and private hospitals are expensive. As a result, they preferred to go to mainland hospitals, which offer far cheaper packages.

Hong Kong public hospitals also lack staff and readily available medical services like regular and annual body check-ups.

However, it seems the high cost of private hospitals is what truly motivates Hong Kong residents to seek medical treatment elsewhere. In some cases, private healthcare here costs almost 10 times that of similar packages in mainland China.

To attract Hong Kong patients, medical offices in mainland China offer convenient and customised services. For example, dental clinics have been specially built inside transport hubs to reduce travel distance. Advertisements for services are seen on buses and even the MTR. Consultation speeds are considerably faster.

The high cost of Hong Kong’s private hospitals and the long queues at public hospitals have long deterred local patients from seeking treatment. And it appears mainland hospitals are not always the perfect solution, as Hongkongers are not guaranteed the same safety and rights as they would in Hong Kong.

There are ways the Hong Kong government can address the trend of Hong Kong people travelling to the mainland for medical care.

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Hong Kong’s local hospitals have the advantage of secure and safe services. The most pertinent action for the government to take is to increase the number of medical staff. Public hospitals – more affordable – are widely preferred by the people, which is evident by the long queues and waiting times. Recruiting more medical staff for this sector is crucial.

The government can also help by providing financial support to groups who do not already receive government healthcare subsidies. This could potentially make it easier to afford private care and reduce dependency on public services.

The Hong Kong government should not rely on traditional advertising mediums like television but instead utilise social media – such as Instagram reels and posts – to encourage citizens to join healthy lifestyle programmes. This approach could encourage young people to consider using local hospitals for body check-ups.

Supporting our city’s hospitals – public and private – is what is best for Hong Kong and its people.