Thursday, 7 August 2025The Importance of NSE in the Secondary Curriculum
National Security Education (NSE) is crucial for fostering a sense of responsibility and understanding of national identity among students in Hong Kong. It equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to become informed citizens who appreciate the importance of security in a global context.
By integrating NSE into the curriculum, we aim to:
- enhance students’ awareness of national security issues.
- promote critical thinking regarding civic duties and rights.
- encourage respect for the law and the importance of social stability.
How Shung Tak Incorporates Values Education into National Security Education
Incorporating values education into National Security Education (NSE) within the curriculum at Shung Tak involves several key strategies:
- Curriculum Content: NSE includes discussions on national identity, civic responsibility, and the importance of national security, which are naturally connected to the character strengths or values expected of Shungtakians of kindness, compassion, discernment, responsibility, servant leadership and gratitude. Curriculum would also organically integrate knowledge and understanding of Chinese culture and our motherland into our daily teaching practices.
- Interdisciplinary Approach: NSE is integrated across subjects, encouraging students to explore the implications of national security across different subjects which is in line with our major concern of collaboration across departments. Through the implementation of this major concern, mutual coordination and cooperation among different subject areas involved in NSE can be significantly enhanced.
- Critical Thinking and Discussion: To promote comprehensive understanding of NSE, a variety of diversified strategies will be employed. Students are encouraged to engage in critical discussions about national security issues, fostering analytical skills and ethical reasoning.
- Co-Curricular Activities: Workshops and social service projects related to national security are conducted to reinforce values education, providing students with opportunities for learning through action both within and beyond the classroom.
NSE Across Subjects
At Shung Tak, we believe in a holistic approach to education. NSE is woven into various subjects and whole-school participation is embraced to ensure that students receive a comprehensive understanding of its significance.
The English Department of Shung Tak Catholic English College thoroughly incorporates NSE into the English curriculum. Students are exposed to a wide range of activities and experiences that help them learn more about our country and culture, helping them build understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture and a respect for the Motherland.
Through a vast range of topics that cater to different student abilities, learning needs, and varying interests, NSE is organically and thoroughly integrated into our English curriculum. Some of the topics that are visited include different Chinese festivals, scholars, and athletes, as well as China’s rich cultural history, impressive advances in space exploration, technological advances, and economic growth. These topics are not presented as individual components but as integral parts to the themes and modules that are being explored throughout the English curriculum and are constantly revised and updated. The following are examples of some of the topics that are and have been visited:
| S1 | Chinese festivals Traditional Chinese dishes Temples in Hong Kong |
| S2 | China’s giant pandas The four great inventions in ancient China Chinese public figures and their achievements |
| S3 | Chinese sportsmen Chinese dining customs and the meanings behind Chinese cities and their development |
| S4 | Technological development in China Space-themed tourism in China Dragon boat racing |
| S5 | The history of chopsticks Agricultural development in China China’s continued growth in the face of global trials |
| S6 | Confucianism Tai Chi Extraordinary Hong Kong people |
Curriculum aside, each year we dedicate time to promote Chinese culture to the whole school while using the medium of English and also involving our parents who help run the activity. At present, we have been showcasing some of the more uncommon gastronomic delights and these have been very well received by our Shungtakians.
Beyond our campus walls, the English Department has taken a pioneering role in establishing connections with our sister schools in Beijing and Shenzhen. We have hosted as well as visited English Departments from our sister schools, fostering a greater bond and understanding between the two education systems and styles. We have also brought multiple groups of Shungtakians to visit these sister schools and to participate in their classes.
As our students travel through their journey at Shung Tak, we have no doubt that the English Department provides them with one that strengthens their understanding of our motherland.
