Our Girls

Quotes

Miss Liu Wan Man

Former head of Chinese Department

Heep Yunn School's application to turn DSS has met with objections from some HYPS parents. As a former teacher of HYS, I am saddened by the current predicament of the school. Education is a long term undertaking. There is an old saying that "it takes three generations to make a gentleman" . Since the handover in 1997, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has adopted a policy of equitable distribution of education resources and a philosophy of 'the less you do, the fewer mistakes you will make'.

Some prestigious primary and secondary schools in the territory have gradually turned DSS to gain more flexibility which the subsidized schools sector cannot offer. The truth of the matter is, they are not prepared to hinder the development of their younger generation because of limited resources and to deter them from growing into young men and women on par with their peers in the international arena. However, from what we have seen in the past decade or so, DSS schools have mostly become another product of the social class system – the schools that only cater to children of families who can afford the fees. This idea is so far away from the original concept of setting up the DSS mode.

Today, the disparity between the rich and the poor is becoming more serious. The chance for the grassroots to move up the social ladder is getting narrower. As a former educator who has witnessed the thriving economy and who has enjoyed the camaraderie of those engaged in learning and teaching here, how can I not be pained or saddened?

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the HYS School Council for taking the path where few have dared venture. I am grateful for your foresight and courage, to assert an undertaking that none have dared pursue – to not abandon the underprivileged and needy after turning DSS.