New rule kicks in for Hong Kong schools to hold regular flag-raising ceremonies, some campuses seek training help from police
- Under guidelines created for the amended National Flag and Emblem Ordinance, schools must hold a ceremony at least once a week, with acts of improper flag handling and disposal banned
- Post observes some schools already have practice in place and are in the process of ramping up arrangements as part of national education push
A new rule requiring Hong Kong schools to hold regular flag-raising ceremonies kicked in on Monday, with some seeking police help on training students in etiquette for the practice.
Under the guidelines, schools must also hold a flag-raising ceremony at least once a week. The move falls under measures by the Education Bureau to cultivate national identity among students.
Ricky Ng Wing-hung, principal of Buddhist Lim Kim Tian Memorial Primary School in Kwai Chung, said flag-raising arrangements had always been held weekly on his campus, but would now be conducted in a more formal fashion.
“In the past, the scouts were responsible for the task, but now a team of students are formally trained to do it,” he said.
Choi Wing-ho, a teacher from the school, said they had sought help from police to provide training, much like other institutions.
Ng noted that training demand outpaced supply, even though the bureau’s guidelines were clear. “We were lucky to have training sessions arranged for us by a communication officer in the force, but some schools are still in the queue … so it would be great if there were more resources available.”