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Although we have been acquainted with bad news in the community in recent years, we are still disturbed by tragic news about education, schools, teachers and students. Parents care for the education of their children. People in this city still have a glimmer of hope for the sacred aura of education.
Last month, a primary school teacher in Tin Shui Wai, suspected under a great deal of stress at work, jumped to her death from the school building. A kindergarten principal was lost and found after 5 days. Although reason was unknown, it was unusual. School governance, work culture and the mental health of teachers once again become the focus.
The SAR Government has implemented "Education Reform" for nearly 20 years. A great variety of new policies, including the admission mechanism, public examinations, curriculum, learning and teaching, assessment mechanism, school-based management and teacher professional development, were launched with resources input. However, different stakeholders today are still unsatisfied. "Never give up", "Quality assurance", "Happy learning" and "Student-centeredness" are still merely slogans in many schools.
Students are unhappy, teachers feel exhausted, parents become monsters and even principals are frustrated also. It means that there must be something more crucial apart from policy planning and resource allocation to drive the improvement of education quality. Students are not learning machines. Teachers are not teaching artisans. Principals are not administrators to enhance school reputation. The core of education ministry is to develop students’ potentials, to respect individual differences as well as to cultivate healthy and holistic growth of all students. It should not be just a way to make the next generation catch up with the rapid economic development in our society.
Nowadays, competition among schools in different levels is keen. From examination results, student performance, university entry rate to QS ranking, the "output" and value-addedness of an educational institution have become the way to survive in this sector unfortunately. Under the culture of competition, evaluation and accountability, the relationship between teachers and students is weak. Teachers are wrestling with the school management. Mutual and genuine respect is replaced by a culture of cross-checking of fault, complaint and defense. For those who are enthusiastic in teaching and willing to guard the welfare of students, they face a fatal blow, resulting in helplessness and frustration.
The 2015 film "Little Big Master" earned the highest box office of the year in the territory. It tells us that the general public still yearn for true education and selfless dedication of educators. Kindergarten headmistress Lilian Lui, the film’s protagonist once quoted the famous German educator Friedrich Fröbel (1782-1852) as saying: "Education consists of example and love -- nothing else." When can we see the government officials, school managers and teachers with eroded hearts returning to the original aspiration of education?
Servant pastor
Rev. Benedict Shum
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