HONG KONG School pressure causes suicides among Hong Kong youth

According to a study by SWD, suicides are the second cause of death (22.8%) among minors in the period 2016-2018. The excessive pressure and stress of a highly competitive educational system is the critical point. For the director of a Catholic school it is necessary to encourage and interest the students, instead of distorting the teaching methods.

Hong Kong () – School pressure and growing competitiveness, even among the youngest, is one of the causes of suicide among young people in Hong Kong. The figure is contained in a report published in recent days by the Department of Social Protection (SWD) of the autonomous territory, according to which suicides were the second cause of death among minors (22.8%) in the period between 2016 and 2018, object of the study. Wang Huan, an official at the Ministry of Education, believes that the situation is related to an “excessive” level of stress.

The official newspaper HKCD (Hong Kong Commercial Daily) reports that at least 11 students took their own lives between April and May, further fueling concern in the field of education. The situation is related to an excess of study and “excess pressure” within the framework of a highly competitive system based on qualifications and merit and demerit notes.

The SWD report shows that, in relation to infant mortality registered in the three-year period, death from natural causes accounted for 61.4% (159 victims out of a total of 259); however, the second place is occupied by suicides with 59 deaths, equivalent to 22.8%; then there are uncertain natural causes (3.1%), assaults (2.7%) and medical complications (1.5%). The highest rate of deaths by suicide is registered between 15 and 17 years of age, with 39 cases out of 259 deaths in total (equivalent to 15%).

Wang Huan, an official from the Ministry of Education, believes that a high number of study hours can increase the level of stress; Added to this is the “loss of the meaning and value of learning”, while others have difficulty finding the meaning of the educational itinerary. “It is a source of stress -he explains- and resistance to learning”.

The average number of study hours per week logged for kindergarten, elementary, and middle/high school students are 49.1, 66.5, and 76.5, respectively. A Hong Kong student must attend up to nine classes a day, a far higher figure than neighboring territories such as Shanghai (five to seven classes) and Taiwan (five classes).

Chow Tak-fai, principal of Tai Kok Catholic Primary School, believes that it is much more important to encourage students to develop their own interests than to change the learning method. “The key to being happy in studies – he points out to Eglises d’Asie (EdA) – is not to change the way we teach, but to inspire, instill motivation and encourage students, encouraging them to work hard for the things that interest”.