Veteran Malaysian journalist decries deficiencies in HK education system

Bad seeds sown

"What kind of generation is going to come up? ... And worse, you have teachers who should know better, but you have teachers who are sort of encouraging students to go and protest," Wong said.

He cited the case of an 18-year-old student who slashed a police officer in the neck with a box cutter. His school responded with veiled support by saying he would not be expelled.

"As a foreigner who is reading this from somewhere else, I'd say, 'What is wrong with Hong Kong? What's wrong with these kids and teachers?' " he said.

According to police, from June 9 to Oct 24, 144 of the 2,711 arrested were younger than 16. They were arrested on charges that included taking part in a riot, wounding, assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault and arson. One-third of those arrested were students.

He believes Liberal Studies has played a role. Many community leaders have said Liberal Studies is a key reason for the prolonged unrest and the high proportion of youth participation. Wong said it had failed in its mission to encourage critical and rational thinking.

Schools should be incubators of noble values, such as respecting your parents and elders, and not be breeding grounds for anti-government activities, he added.

Violence and chaos have gripped the city for nearly five months. The street violence, which has made headlines across the globe, is damaging Hong Kong, a city Wong said he no longer recognizes despite a strong emotional attachment with it.

He was saddened by the situation in Hong Kong, as were many of his friends and the majority of Malaysians, who don't condone violence and want an end to this "bad movie", Wong said.