Educational authorities in Hong Kong have raised concerns over students singing the national anthem “too softly.” In a new batch of 10 external review reports on schools compiled and released by the Education Bureau, two schools faced accusations of insufficiently robust renditions of the anthem, “March of the Volunteers.”
What went down
The Hong Kong and Macau Lutheran Church Primary School in Tseung Kwan O received feedback that students’ voices were weak during the anthem.
Additionally, the school was criticised for not adequately covering the “recent development of the country” in general studies. Also, the report laid emphasis on the need for a whole-school approach to promote national education and enhance national security knowledge.
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Similarly, Yan Chai Hospital Lim Por Yen Secondary School in Tsuen Wan was advised to remind students to sing the anthem more forcefully. The report highlighted the importance of cultivating the habit of singing the anthem loudly in unison.
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Kap Yan Directors’ College in North district received guidance to help students gain confidence in singing the national anthem. Although their voices were not explicitly labeled as weak, the college was encouraged to provide additional guidance.
This isn’t the first time the Education Bureau has addressed anthem singing. An annual summary inspection report released in December made mention of teachers and singers who sing the anthem a “little too soft.” Although the names of the schools were not released.
“Teachers need to remind students more to help students develop the habit of singing the national anthem loudly in unison,” it said.
Ultimately, the focus on national education is a critical element in Hong Kong’s schools. Authorities continue to emphasise the importance of instilling pride and confidence in students as they perform the anthem.
