The Advantages and Disadvantages of Having National Education in Hong Kong

People from the mainland China had recognized the subject Moral and National Education (MNE) to a great extent, but the subject is new to the citizens in Hong Kong. This additional subject proposed by the Education Bureau of Hong Kong aims at help learners to build moral and national personalities through a systematic and sustainable way, as well as to build student’s identity in different aspects, in order to achieve full-person development [1]. However, a book named “China Model National Conditions Teaching Manual” [2], published by the National Education Services Centre with government funding has drawn attentions from local Chinese. Two forces raised and argued against the topic of abandoning MNE in school curriculum. Eventually, the government failed to carry out the MNE and has postponed the plan. This essay will provide the advantages and disadvantages of having national education in Hong Kong, as well as the conclusion and recommendation upon the topic.

Having MNE can increase the social cohesion. This subject aims to let students to “Appreciate the richness and beauty of the country through observing its landscape and antiquities” [1]. By knowing the country in the positive side, the citizens will be willing to be part of the country. This can build a sense of belonging. As McMillan and Chavis [3] proposed, the sense of belonging refers to the feeling of being part of the group, and one would sacrifice himself in order to contribute to the group. So, building a sense of belonging can get more citizens involved in the society, in which they are willing to participate and contribute to the social affairs, and finally increases the social cohesion.

As well as that MNE increases the social cohesion, this subject can achieve...

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...um%20(summary)_2.pdf. [Accessed November 12, 2013].

[2] National Education Services Centre , 中國模式國情專題教學手冊. [China Model National Conditions Teaching Manual.] Hong Kong: National Education Services Centre, Hong Kong, 2012.

[3] D. W. McMillan and D. M. Chavis, “Sense of Community: A Definition and Theory”, Journal of Community Psychology, vol. 14, Jan. 1986.

[4] A. D. Smith, National Identity. Nevada: University of Nevada Press, 1991.

[5] “National Education. Basic Problem of National Education,” MingPao, D08, Jul. 30, 2012. [Online] Available: http://wisenews.wisers.net/wisenews/index.do? [Accessed November 13, 2013].

[6] The Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union, 七成教師反對必修「德育及國民教育科」[70% of teachers opposes MNE as compulsory subject.] Hong Kong: Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union, 2011. [Online] Available: http://www.hkptu.org/4096 [Accessed November 14, 2013].