A joint flag-raising ceremony held by the education sector to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China is held at Pui Kiu Primary School on Hong Kong Island. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Flag-raising ceremonies were held in Hong Kong’s schools on Thursday, the first National Day since the implementation of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, as such a ritual is a necessary extracurricular activity for boosting national identity among youngsters — a pressing, shared task — the city’s educators said.
In a joint flag-raising ceremony held by the sector to mark the occasion, Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said such events can enhance the recognition of the country and help to increase students’ sense of national identity.
Yeung said the national flag and anthem symbolize the nation’s sovereignty and dignity. The ceremony, held at Pui Kiu Primary School on Hong Kong Island, was attended by students, parents, and representatives from nearly 40 sponsoring bodies of schools and teachers’ associations.
Earlier, the Education Bureau set out guidelines, with advice for schools on flag-raising and playing the national anthem at important events, including National Day, Lunar New Year, and graduation ceremonies.
With the city’s new National Security Law and National Anthem Ordinance in place, the education sector has a responsibility to promote relevant education on campus, Yeung added.
Yeung pledged that the Education Bureau will render full support to schools, including updating curricula, providing teaching resources and professional training to schools.
Vu Im-fan, president of the Subsidized Primary School Council, also attended the flag-raising ceremony. She said schools have a responsibility to enhance students’ awareness of the law, restore peace to campuses and cultivate responsible, law-abiding residents for society.
The call was answered at some local schools. Early on Thursday morning, 25 students from the flag-raising team at Heung To Secondary School (Tseung Kwan O), were rehearsing in school uniform.
More than 70 parents and students attended the event, which was mandatory for year-one students.
Principal Tang Fei said he believes attending the event on such a meaningful day will awaken students’ national identity.
Addressing the ceremony, Tang said the implementation of the National Security Law returned the city to peace and stability after it underwent prolonged social unrest last year.
“Meanwhile, the pandemic situation of Hong Kong is gradually stabilizing, and social distancing restrictions are easing. I hope students and their family members can enjoy the holiday and cherish the peaceful social environment,” Tang said.
For students, the ritual was even more necessary to cultivate and feel their national identity.
“Teachers talked about national identity in class, but I think it’s not enough. We need such events, out of the classroom, to experience and feel what it is,” Cheung Ka-yan, a year-five student, said.
Cheung said such an event can help increase her and her peers’ sense of belonging to the nation, as well as the city.
Louie Ho-shun, 16, leader of the flag-raising team, said the ceremony could consolidate students’ sense of national identity as it offers a good chance for students to get a better understanding of the nation and its symbols.
Louie said raising the flag is all about teamwork. She said her team enjoyed the cooperation and took part in the event despite the day being a holiday.
A parent surnamed Ng accompanied her daughter, a year-one student, to the flag-raising ceremony. She also brought her 8-year-old son to the meaningful event. Ng said she hopes her kids clearly know they are Chinese people and that Hong Kong is a part of China.
