School pressure leads to suicides among Hong Kong's young people

According to a Swd study, suicides were the second leading cause of death (22.8%) among minors in the 2016-2018 period. Excessive pressure and stress within a highly competitive education system are in the crosshairs. For the head of a Catholic school, it is necessary to encourage and interest students, rather than distort the teaching method. 

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - School pressure, and the growing competitiveness of even the youngest students, is one of the causes of suicides among young people in Hong Kong.

The figure emerges from a report published by China Ministry of Education's Social Welfare Department (Swd), according to which suicides were the second leading cause of death among minors (22.8%) in the period between 2016 and 2018, the subject of the study. Wang Huan, head of the Ministry of Education, believes the situation is linked to an 'excessive' level of stress. 

The pro-government newspaper Hkcd (Hong Kong Commercial Daily) reports that at least 11 students took their own lives between April and May, further fuelling concerns in the education sector. A situation related to over-studying and 'excessive pressure' within a highly competitive system based on grades and merit and demerit notes. 

The Swd study shows that, in relation to child mortality recorded over the three-year period, deaths from natural causes account for 61.4% (159 out of a total of 259); however, second are suicides with 59 deaths, or 22.8%; then there are uncertain natural causes (3.1%), assaults (2.7%) and medical complications (1.5%). The highest suicide death rate was recorded among 15-17 year olds with 39 cases out of a total of 259 deaths (or 15%).

Wang Huan, an official at the Chinese Ministry of Education, believes that a high number of study hours can increase stress levels; this is compounded by the 'loss of the meaning and value of learning', while others struggle to find a purpose in their education. "It is a source," he explains, "of stress and resistance to learning".

The average number of study hours per week recorded for kindergarten, primary and middle/high school students is 49.1, 66.5 and 76.5 respectively. A Hong Kong student has to take up to nine courses a day, a figure far higher than neighbouring territories such as Shanghai (five to seven courses) and Taiwan (five courses).

Chow Tak-fai, headmaster of Tai Kok Catholic Primary School, believes that it is much more important to encourage the student to develop his or her own interests than to change the method of learning. 'The key to happy learning,' he emphasises to Eglises d'Asie (EdA), 'is not to change the way you teach, but to inspire, instil motivation and encourage students, spurring them to work hard at things that interest them. 

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