- While it can be argued that it is good for the younger generation to become more politically aware, engaging in violence and unlawful acts is another matter
With the extradition bill fiasco gripping Hong Kong for months, it is not surprising that universities and schools are also embroiled in chaos and violence. The latest episodes involved a masked protester vandalising a secondary school in Tsuen Wan. Separately, a protest critic teaching at Polytechnic University's self-financed Community College was besieged in class for hours by more than 100 students.
On Thursday, a dialogue session with Chinese University chiefs also turned into chaos, just a week after angry students stormed a university building. The growing disorderly behaviour among youngsters is a cause for concern.
That the academic field has become increasingly politicised is perhaps unavoidable as tension continues to surge in society. It can be argued that it is good for the younger generation to become more politically aware. But engaging in violence and unlawful acts is another matter.
More than 30 per cent of the 2,300- plus people arrested in more than four months of unrest are aged below 18.
Ever since the new school year began last month, students in some schools have been boycotting classes in a show of discontent over the government's handling of the now-abandoned extradition bill. The political tension has surged further after two students were shot with live rounds and arrested for assaulting police officers during recent clashes.
And with society so deeply divided, any response from the schools is bound to upset certain students, teachers and parents.
Hong Kong students take anti-mask law protests back to school
The situation was further compounded when the Education Bureau told students not to cover their faces in and outside schools in the wake of the government's move to outlaw the use of face masks during protests.
Additionally, schools are required to monitor compliance and report the situation. Given the controversial nature of the ban, the strong reaction from students was to be expected.
Schools are not places for advancing political causes. While it has become more and more difficult to keep politics out of schools, politicising the school environment is hardly in the interest of the students. It is incumbent upon all stakeholders to make better efforts to keep politics and violence away from schools.
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