HONG KONG - The question of discussing controversial social issues depended on the stage of students' cognitive development and it was the government's responsibility to ensure the educational needs of children were fulfilled without interference, Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said in a written reply in the Legislative Council Wednesday. 

We would like to reiterate that no political propaganda activities should be allowed in schools, and no one, including students, should play, sing and broadcast songs which contain political messages or hold any activities to express their political stance.

Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Secretary for education, Hong Kong

Peaceful and orderly school environment and atmosphere are crucial to students' learning and growth, Yeung said while responding to a question from the lawmaker Ip Kin-yuen.

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Ip had questioned whether Yeung's June 10 directive to principals of all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong to counsel their students to stop "chanting slogans, forming human chains, and posting slogans or singing songs which contain political messages at schools for expressing political stance" violated the Convention on the Rights of the Child applicable to Hong Kong since 1994. 

Yeung wrote that while the government noted that paragraph 1 of Article 13 of the convention provided for the right to freedom of expression, such right is not absolute. He cited paragraph 2 of Article 13 of the Convention to say that the exercise of this right may be subject to certain restrictions, including those which are necessary for respect of the rights of others, or for the protection of national security or of public order, or of public health or morals.

He stressed, "In school, punishment and guidance are made in accordance with the school-based disciplinary and counselling mechanisms. Outside school, the responsibility is taken according to law. We do not want to see our students being injured, arrested, prosecuted and even convicted." 

Saying that it was heartbreaking to see "our students being used as political chips," Yeung said, "We would like to reiterate that no political propaganda activities should be allowed in schools, and no one, including students, should play, sing and broadcast songs which contain political messages or hold any activities to express their political stance."

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