Fear and censorship in the classroom
Hong Kong teachers can no longer rely on their unions. It had to lift itself. Chapters have been removed from textbooks, flag ceremonies have been introduced and China even dictates the color of a mask.
Picture: Type tank
The dissolution of the largest teachers' union in Hong Kong in August does not come as a surprise to members. “It illustrates the level of fear among educators in Hong Kong. There are so many ways I can get myself into trouble," said high school teacher Y.
She only dares to speak anonymously. Her school has urged all teachers not to speak to media, let alone foreign media. All other names in this article have also been changed to protect the teachers' identities. Hongkongers who speak out in the media risk losing their jobs or even face legal prosecution under the guise of national security law.
Hong Kongers who speak out risk losing their jobs or even face legal prosecution
Other policies
Since Beijing introduced the controversial new law last year, the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong has all but been wiped out. Dozens of parliamentarians, journalists and activists have been jailed for years. Y also notices a clear difference in policy in her work: “We have given a few courses on the national security law to both teachers and students. That's new. The school board has also become more serious and sensitive.” For example, certain chapters have been removed from the school books because they were too sensitive and there are rules at her school about which color is appropriate for mouth caps. Black face masks are banned, the color symbolizes the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
Under fire
In the past year, several Hong Kong organizations have dissolved themselves because board members were arrested. The Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union (HKPTU) came under fire in August after Chinese state media accused the union of bringing politics to schools. The organization was founded in 1973 and represented more than 90 percent of teachers in Hong Kong. Membership cost converted only 4,43 euros per year. Through the HKPTU, members could obtain health insurance, buy school materials and follow career courses.
Hong Kong organizations dissolve themselves after board members were arrested
Y calls the fact that the union feels compelled to dissolve itself as a disturbing development: "It shows how easily the government can wipe out civil society organizations." Y herself was also a member of the HKPTU, although she does not miss the union very much. “It is of course inconvenient if I need teaching materials or if I want to develop myself with a course.”
The government can easily wipe out civil society organizations
Patriotism
Former HKPTU board members turned down an interview. “This is a bad time to speak out. I'm sorry," one of them responds by email. A few members have been taken to court and could face prison terms. The HKPTU is accused of supporting teachers and students who chose to participate in demonstrations.
According to PhD student Anna, this is ridiculous: “People had the right to demonstrate. It is the job of a trade union to support its members. If there was a need among members to join a strike, then the HKPTU simply did its job.” Anna notices at her university that security has gone up. “The campus was always open, anyone could walk in. After the siege on our campus, entrance gates were opened and you have to register guests in advance.”
In 2019 she also actively participated in the demonstrations. “That security law was meant to single out the extremists. It would not be retroactive. The fact that the HKPTU is being attacked for something that happened in the past and has therefore dissolved itself shows that the government is not keeping its promises," Anna said.
At Peter's high school, the patriotism that the Chinese government would like to see in Hong Kong goes even further. “We are expected to hold flag ceremonies and listen to the national anthem. Nobody enjoys this, it's more to show that we are doing our duty," said the teacher. Peter nevertheless considers himself lucky with the position his school has taken. “One of my colleagues was arrested during a demonstration and he still works at our school. I know of other schools where teachers have been fired for their political views.”
We are supposed to hold flag ceremonies and listen to the national anthem. No one enjoys this, it is to show that we are doing our duty
Although Peter was a member of the HKPTU, he never used his services. One of his colleagues did involve the union. “Her school thought she should wear a dress, which she successfully challenged with the help of the union.” Peter regrets that the organization has dissolved itself. “I wish they had lasted a little longer. The government will go after the board, regardless of whether the union still exists.”
Hong Kong was handed over to China by the British in 1997 on the condition that the city would be allowed to rule itself for XNUMX years. Two years ago, large-scale protests broke out in Hong Kong against a controversial extradition bill. Protesters say such a law would allow Beijing to arrest political activists. Protests were not always peaceful. Parts of the city were regularly on fire as protesters threw incendiary bombs at metro stations and branches of pro-Chinese companies.
I know other schools where teachers have been fired because of their political views
As the protests lasted longer in 2019, protesters also demanded more democratic rights. During the district elections in November that year, the pro-democracy camp won 90 percent of the seats. Rather than accommodate the pro-democracy movement, Beijing responded with a security law banning any form of incitement, terrorism, secession and foreign interference in the semi-autonomous city.
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